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Politics
Penguin India pulls Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography from Indian market amid political row
✍️ Amar Ujala
🗓 29 Aug 2026, 06:42 PM
👁 5
Penguin India has withdrawn the Indian publication of Sonia Gandhi’s memoir ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, prompting accusations between the Congress and BJP.
Penguin India announced that it will not publish Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography titled “Belonging: A Journey of Love” in India. The decision was taken before the book’s scheduled release, effectively halting its availability in the domestic market.
The move has ignited a political controversy, with the opposition Congress party accusing the publisher of yielding to external pressure, while the ruling BJP has suggested that the memoir could be used to influence public opinion. Both parties have exchanged accusations, turning the publishing decision into a partisan flashpoint.
Details about the book remain limited to its title and the fact that it is a personal memoir of the former Congress president. With Penguin India’s withdrawal, the manuscript’s Indian launch is now uncertain, and readers will have to rely on overseas editions for access.
Industry observers note that the episode underscores the sensitivities surrounding political biographies in India, especially those involving senior leaders, but no official statement from the publisher has provided further justification for the pullback.
The move has ignited a political controversy, with the opposition Congress party accusing the publisher of yielding to external pressure, while the ruling BJP has suggested that the memoir could be used to influence public opinion. Both parties have exchanged accusations, turning the publishing decision into a partisan flashpoint.
Details about the book remain limited to its title and the fact that it is a personal memoir of the former Congress president. With Penguin India’s withdrawal, the manuscript’s Indian launch is now uncertain, and readers will have to rely on overseas editions for access.
Industry observers note that the episode underscores the sensitivities surrounding political biographies in India, especially those involving senior leaders, but no official statement from the publisher has provided further justification for the pullback.