New Delhi: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has finally responded to the controversy over her forthcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. She said Penguin Random House India (PRHI) was “uneasy in general with the criticism of the government” contained in the book.
Gandhi told The Guardian that she was disappointed by the publisher’s decision not to move ahead with the Indian edition, although she said she was not entirely surprised by it. She viewed the move as an effort to censor her work.
What Triggered The Row
The dispute began after reports emerged of differences between Penguin India and representatives of the author over proposed editorial changes to the manuscript. Penguin had reportedly initially shown interest in publishing the memoir but later chose not to acquire the Indian publishing rights.
Several Congress leaders subsequently expressed concern about possible governmental pressure and the state of free expression. Some alleged that Penguin India had been asked to remove portions concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS, and China’s occupation of Indian territory during the Modi government, as reported by The New Indian Express.
PRHI’s Response
Penguin India has maintained that no external pressure influenced its decision. The publisher said there was an impasse over a particular issue during discussions on the memoir, but declined to disclose the matter, citing confidentiality obligations to the author and under the agreement.
Despite the controversy, HarperCollins India announced that it would publish Gandhi’s memoir in India on November 10, resolving uncertainty over the book’s domestic release.
Sonia On Modi Rule
In the same interview, Sonia Gandhi also commented on the Modi government’s 12 years in office and its effect on India’s secular and pluralistic character. She said the situation was “more than disappointing and very painful”, adding, “having known a different India”.
She further said, “In parliament, we are not allowed to debate. In the past, there were discussions, there were meetings between the opposition and the government, there was consultation. Now the opposition counts for nothing.”