Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, will be published by HarperCollins on November 10, 2026, the publisher has announced.
The book was earlier set to be published by Penguin Random House India after its US-based imprint, Alfred A Knopf, announced the project. However, Penguin India later decided not to proceed with the publication.
The memoir is expected to cover several significant chapters of Sonia Gandhi’s life, including her childhood in Italy, marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family, the assassination of her husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and her eventual entry into politics.
Why did Penguin back out of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir?
The publication of Belonging became the centre of a political controversy after Penguin Random House India withdrew from the project.
Congress leaders raised questions about whether external pressure had influenced the publisher’s decision. Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that Penguin India had been pressured to remove portions concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and China’s occupation of Indian territory during the Modi government.
Gehlot described the alleged intervention as an attack on democracy and freedom of expression.
However, Penguin Random House India rejected claims that governmental pressure was behind the decision.
Penguin India cites editorial differences
Penguin Random House India said the manuscript had gone through its normal editorial process, during which several issues were discussed with representatives of the author.
According to the publisher, some proposed changes were accepted while Sonia Gandhi’s position was retained on others.
The publisher said an agreement ultimately could not be reached on a particular issue. It added that Sonia Gandhi’s team subsequently informed Penguin India that they did not wish to proceed with publication.
Penguin India also declined to disclose details of the disagreement, citing contractual obligations and the importance of author confidentiality.
BJP questions the memoir’s contents
The controversy has also triggered criticism from the BJP.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi questioned whether the book should ultimately be viewed as a memoir or fiction if there are disputes over its contents.
The BJP has challenged the allegations of government pressure and raised questions about what the book contains.
With HarperCollins now taking over publication, the memoir is expected to attract considerable political and public attention when it reaches readers in November.
What is ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ about?
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir is expected to offer a personal account of her journey from her early life in Italy to becoming one of India’s most prominent political figures.
The book is also expected to revisit her relationship with Rajiv Gandhi, his assassination and her decision to enter active politics.
Its account of the Nehru-Gandhi family and Sonia Gandhi’s political journey could make Belonging a closely watched political memoir, particularly amid the controversy surrounding its publication.
