Congress alleges Penguin India succumbed to “pressure” to demand changes in Sonia memoir
Congress leaders have accused Penguin Random House India of suppressing Sonia Gandhi's memoir due to political pressure regarding content critical of the BJP and the RSS. The publisher maintains that the requested changes are part of standard editorial and fact-checking processes.
Why it matters
The controversy touches on significant issues regarding freedom of expression, corporate censorship, and political influence in publishing.
Congress leaders on Friday (August 28, 2026) accused Penguin Random House India of giving in to pressure over the publication of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love , with senior party leader Ashok Gehlot alleging that the publisher sought to remove portions critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS, and the alleged “occupation” of Indian territory by China.
The Congress reactions came after Penguin Random House India issued a statement, saying that “fact-checking and editorial recommendations” were part of its normal publishing process.
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