4 days ago
Gehlot Alleges Pressure Behind Penguin India Book Withdrawal
Sonia Gandhi has written a book that was expected to be published in India.
Penguin India reportedly decided not to publish it.
Ashok Gehlot says the publisher may have faced pressure to stop the book.
He also says Sonia Gandhi was asked to remove some parts, but she refused.
Gehlot believes writers should be allowed to express their views.
He said criticism of a book should happen through debate, not by forcing changes.
Other publishers have reportedly offered to publish the book.
The reasons for Penguin India’s decision have not been publicly established in the report.
Ashok Gehlot questioned Penguin India’s reported decision to step back from publishing Sonia Gandhi’s book.
Gehlot alleged that pressure, possibly from the Prime Minister’s Office, influenced the publisher’s decision.
He said Penguin India had asked Sonia Gandhi to remove passages, but she reportedly refused.
Gehlot described the issue as a matter of freedom of expression and constitutional rights.
He said several publishers had approached Sonia Gandhi and that she would choose the eventual publisher.
- Who
- Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Sonia Gandhi, and Penguin India are central to the controversy.
- What
- Penguin India reportedly stepped back from publishing Sonia Gandhi’s book, prompting Gehlot to allege pressure and raise concerns about freedom of expression.
- Where
- The statements were made in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and concern publication of the book in India.
- When
- The controversy was discussed by Gehlot on August 28, 2026, with the report dated August 29, 2026; the book was reportedly scheduled for November 10.
- Why
- Gehlot said the reported withdrawal and alleged request to remove passages raised questions about political pressure and freedom of expression.
Gehlot’s allegations
Unconfirmed explanation
Why Penguin India stepped back
Gehlot’s allegations
Gehlot alleged that pressure was involved and questioned why the Indian office would withdraw if Penguin’s parent company was publishing the book globally.
Unconfirmed explanation
The report does not provide a confirmed explanation from Penguin India, the Prime Minister’s Office, or the central government for the reported decision.
Removal of passages
Gehlot’s allegations
Gehlot said asking Sonia Gandhi to remove passages was inappropriate and amounted to restricting an author’s expression.
Unconfirmed explanation
The reported account contains no response from Penguin India or other parties confirming or explaining the alleged request.
Future publication
Gehlot’s allegations
Gehlot said several publishers had shown interest and that Sonia Gandhi would decide which publisher to choose.
Unconfirmed explanation
The report does not identify the interested publishers or confirm when or where the book will ultimately be published.
Key facts
- Central allegation
- Ashok Gehlot alleged that pressure may have influenced Penguin India’s reported decision.
- Alleged editorial request
- Gehlot said Penguin India asked Sonia Gandhi to remove portions of the book, but she refused.
- Possible source of pressure
- Gehlot suggested the pressure may have come from the Prime Minister’s Office, while saying the exact source was unclear.
- Reported publication date
- The book was reportedly expected to be published on November 10.
- Alternative publishers
- Gehlot said several prominent publishing houses had approached Sonia Gandhi after the developments involving Penguin India.
- Gehlot’s constitutional argument
- He said freedom of expression and the right to express views are part of the Constitution’s spirit.
- Related criticism
- Gehlot also criticized an Organiser article that reportedly called the former UPA advisory committee “mental Naxals.”
Quotes
Ashok Gehlot
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister and Congress leader
“If a book contains remarks about the prime minister, a political party, or an organisation, those views can be challenged politically and ideologically. But asking an author to remove passages is not appropriate.”
freepressjournal.in
“Penguin India asked Sonia Gandhi to remove portions from the book, but she refused. It seems there was pressure on the publisher from the PMO.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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