3 hrs ago
HarperCollins India Takes Over Sonia Gandhi Memoir Publication
Sonia Gandhi has written a book about her life and time in Indian politics.
The book is called Belonging: A Journey of Love.
Penguin Random House India was initially linked to publishing it in India, but that plan ended after discussions with Gandhi’s team.
Reports said the sides disagreed about possible changes to parts of the manuscript.
Penguin said publishers normally fact-check books and suggest edits, and denied that outside pressure caused the disagreement.
Congress leaders said political pressure may have been involved and criticized the decision.
HarperCollins India has now agreed to publish the book in India.
The book is planned for release on November 10, 2026.
HarperCollins India will publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India.
The Indian edition is scheduled for November 10, 2026, alongside the global release.
Penguin Random House India will not publish the book domestically after discussions reached an impasse.
Reports attributed the dispute to proposed editorial changes and deletions, which Penguin said did not accurately explain the circumstances.
Congress leaders alleged political pressure over passages concerning Narendra Modi, the RSS and India-China relations; Penguin denied external interference.
- Who
- Sonia Gandhi, HarperCollins India and Penguin Random House India are central to the dispute.
- What
- HarperCollins India will publish Gandhi’s memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India.
- Where
- The new publishing arrangement concerns the book’s release in India; Alfred A. Knopf is publishing the US edition and William Collins the UK edition.
- When
- The Indian and worldwide editions are scheduled for November 10, 2026; HarperCollins announced its Indian role on September 4, 2026.
- Why
- Penguin and Gandhi’s team reached an impasse during discussions, reportedly involving editorial changes and deletions, though Penguin disputed that characterization and cited confidentiality.
Critics and Congress Leaders
Penguin Random House India and Its Defenders
Reason for the publishing change
Critics and Congress Leaders
Congress leaders and reports said Penguin’s decision followed disagreements over requested changes and alleged pressure concerning politically sensitive passages.
Penguin Random House India and Its Defenders
Penguin said the suggestion that it withdrew because the author rejected editorial changes was inaccurate, and said the discussions ended over a confidential particular issue.
External political pressure
Critics and Congress Leaders
Congress leaders, including Ashok Gehlot, alleged that pressure was applied to remove or alter material concerning Narendra Modi, the RSS and India-China relations.
Penguin Random House India and Its Defenders
Penguin categorically denied external interference; reporting also said BJP and government representatives rejected the pressure narrative.
Editorial independence and publication
Critics and Congress Leaders
Congress leaders described the alleged refusal to publish the book as a serious threat to freedom of expression.
Penguin Random House India and Its Defenders
Penguin said fact-checking and making editorial recommendations are normal publisher responsibilities and that it had remained willing and keen to publish.
Key facts
- Book
- Belonging: A Journey of Love by Sonia Gandhi
- Indian publisher
- HarperCollins India
- Indian release date
- November 10, 2026
- US publisher
- Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House
- UK publisher
- William Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
- Reported dispute
- Reports said Penguin sought editorial changes and deletions in parts of the manuscript.
- Penguin’s position
- Penguin Random House India denied external pressure and said it remained willing to publish the book before discussions reached an impasse.
Quotes
Penguin Random House India spokesperson
Representative of the publishing company responding to reports about the memoir
“HarperCollins India will publish Belonging: A Journey of Love by Sonia Gandhi. The long-awaited memoir will be published in India on 10 November 2026. One of the most anticipated political memoirs of our time, Belonging is a dramatic and deeply personal story of love, identity, duty and belonging, and offers a rare insider's view of India's journey.”
NDTV
telegraphindia.com
businesstoday.in
livemint.com
indianexpress.com
“Penguin Random House India is not the publisher of Belonging in India. Any suggestion that Penguin Random House India decided not to publish Belonging because the author declined editorial changes does not accurately reflect the circumstances.”
NDTV
livemint.com
An X user
A social-media user commenting on Penguin’s treatment of the memoir and Joe Sacco’s book
“Thank you, HarperCollins. You guys have spine… it is going to be a bestseller.”
theprint.in
“A pattern is not a coincidence.”
theprint.in
Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha
Congress leader commenting on the publication controversy
“Suppressing the book of Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji, a person of such stature, a senior leader of the nation, and former Leader of the Opposition, under pressure is tantamount to the murder of freedom of expression.”
livemint.com
“No doubt there are those in the BJP government who have now become afraid of a book being read by the people of India.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
Sonia Gandhi's 'Belonging' Gets New Publisher HarperCollins After Penguin Backs Out
Penguin dropped it, HarperCollins saved it. Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ to release on 10 November
HarperCollins India to publish Sonia Gandhi memoir ‘Belonging’ on November 10 after Penguin exit - Telegraph India
HarperCollins India to publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir, book to be released on Nov 10
HarperCollins to publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir ‘Belonging’ in India after Penguin backs out
HarperCollins India to publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir ‘Belonging,’ after Penguin row
Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir ‘Belonging’ Gets New Publisher; HarperCollins To Release Book On November 10
HarperCollins India to publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir after Penguin India deal falls through
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