Penguin Random House India backs out of publishing Sonia Gandhi’s memoir: report
Penguin Random House India has cancelled the publication of Sonia Gandhi's memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', following disagreements over requested editorial changes. This follows a series of recent controversies involving the publisher regarding other high-profile political and military manuscripts.
Why it matters
The cancellation highlights ongoing tensions between major publishers and political figures in India regarding editorial independence and censorship.
Penguin Random House India has reportedly backed out of publishing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, after disagreements over editorial changes.
Ms. Gandhi turned down “editorial changes and deletions” suggested by the publishing house in “a part of the manuscript”, The Indian Express reported on Friday (August 28, 2026).
On August 18, the New York City-based Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House, had announced that Ms. Gandhi’s memoir will be published on November 10. In it, she will reflect on the promise and the tragedy of marrying into the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty and on her own career in government. Knopf had also said that the first print run for the title would be 1,00,000 copies.
Now, several other publishers in India are in the race to publish and distribute the book.
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