After Penguin row, HarperCollins to publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir
Publisher takes over Indian edition after PRHI exit
HarperCollins India will publish senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir Belonging: A Journey of Love in India in India on 10 November 2026, after Penguin Random House India (PRHI) exited the deal following a dispute over editorial changes.
The publisher announced the decision today (4 September).
"One of the most anticipated political memoirs of our time, Belonging is a dramatic and deeply personal story of love, identity, duty and belonging and offers a rare insider's view of India's journey," HarperCollins said in a statement.
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Alfred A Knopf, a US-based imprint of Penguin Random House, had earlier announced that the book would be released worldwide on 10 November.
Congress leaders had criticised Penguin's decision not to publish the memoir in India, with some describing it as an attack on democracy.
Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that pressure had been put on Penguin India to remove portions concerning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and China's alleged occupation of Indian territory during Modi's tenure.
Penguin Random House India, however, denied that its decision reflected such a dispute.
"PRHI is not the publisher of 'Belonging' in India. Any suggestion that PRHI decided not to publish it because the author declined editorial changes does not accurately reflect the circumstances," the company said.
It defended its "prerogative and responsibility" to fact-check manuscripts and make recommendations to authors, adding that it remained "willing and keen" to publish the book.
HarperCollins India said the memoir will offer an insider's perspective on India's political, economic and social changes over five decades.
