Penguin India clarifies stance on Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'Belonging'

Penguin Random House India has issued a clarification regarding media reports that it had pulled out of publishing Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir, 'Belonging'. The publisher stated on Friday that it is not the Indian publisher of the book and that suggestions it declined to proceed due to the author rejecting editorial changes are inaccurate.

The statement emphasized that fact-checking and offering editorial suggestions are standard responsibilities for any publisher. It noted that throughout discussions, Penguin Random House India maintained its willingness and eagerness to publish the memoir. The publisher declined to comment further on confidential conversations with the author.

The memoir traces Sonia Gandhi's life from her childhood in post-war Italy, her meeting with Rajiv Gandhi at Cambridge, and their marriage in 1968, to the assassinations of her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and her husband. It also covers her long tenure as Congress president.

Earlier this month, Alfred A Knopf announced a November 10 release date for 'Belonging: A Journey of Love'. Following this clarification, questions remain about which publisher will release the book in India and when.