Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Penguin Clarifies Sonia Gandhi Memoir Publishing Dispute
Penguin Random House India made a statement about Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, “Belonging.”
It said it is not the book’s publisher in India.
Earlier reports said the publisher had decided not to release the memoir there.
Those reports said Sonia Gandhi had rejected suggested changes to the manuscript.
Some Congress leaders criticized the publisher over the reported decision.
Penguin said checking facts is part of its job.
It also said publishers normally suggest changes that may help a book.
The company said it was still willing and eager to publish the memoir during the discussions.
The statement was meant to explain its position after the media reports.
Penguin Random House India said it is not the Indian publisher of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, “Belonging.”
The clarification followed reports that the publisher had withdrawn from releasing the memoir in India.
The reports said Gandhi rejected proposed editorial changes to the manuscript.
Penguin Random House India said fact-checking and editorial recommendations are normal publishing responsibilities.
The publisher said it remained willing and keen to publish the book during the relevant discussions.
- Who
- Penguin Random House India, Sonia Gandhi, and Congress leaders.
- What
- A clarification about reports concerning the Indian publication of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, “Belonging.”
- When
- Friday; the reports and discussions were not assigned a specific date.
- Where
- India, with the memoir reportedly being published worldwide by the publisher’s imprint.
- Why
- Penguin Random House India said it wanted to clarify that fact-checking and editorial recommendations are normal responsibilities and that it remained willing to publish the book.
Media Reports and Critics
Penguin Random House India
Whether the publisher withdrew
Media Reports and Critics
Reports cited by the Indian Express said Penguin Random House India backed out of publishing the memoir in India after Sonia Gandhi rejected proposed editorial changes.
Penguin Random House India
Penguin Random House India said it was not the Indian publisher of the memoir and that it remained willing and keen to publish it during the relevant discussions.
Editorial changes
Media Reports and Critics
The reported account presented Gandhi’s rejection of proposed editorial changes as central to the publishing dispute.
Penguin Random House India
The publisher said fact-checking and offering editorial recommendations are both its prerogative and responsibility, and are a normal part of publishing.
- Memoir
- “Belonging” by Sonia Gandhi
- Publisher’s clarification
- Penguin Random House India said it is not the Indian publisher of the memoir.
- Reported dispute
- Media reports said the publisher withdrew from releasing the memoir in India after proposed editorial changes were rejected.
- Publisher’s position
- It said it remained willing and keen to publish the book.
- Editorial process
- The company described fact-checking and recommending editorial changes as normal publishing responsibilities.
- Criticism
- Several Congress leaders criticized Penguin Random House India over the reported withdrawal.
