Sonia Gandhi’s Memoir ‘Belonging’ To Be Published By HarperCollins On November 10

Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, will be published by HarperCollins on November 10, the publishing house has announced.

The book was earlier set to be released by Penguin Random House India, but the publisher withdrew from the project following an editorial dispute with the author’s team. The decision had triggered a political controversy, with Congress leaders alleging pressure over parts of the manuscript.

Belonging: A Journey of Love is expected to offer a personal account of Sonia Gandhi’s life, including her childhood in Italy, her marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family and her experiences following the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The memoir is also expected to discuss her eventual entry into active politics and her journey within the Congress.

The book has attracted considerable political attention even before its international release, largely because of the dispute surrounding its earlier publication arrangement.

According to sources, Penguin Random House India earlier had signed on to publish the memoir when its US-based imprint, Alfred A Knopf, had announced the project. But Penguin India eventually changed its mind and refused to go ahead with the publication..

The decision led to allegations from Congress leaders that the publisher had faced government pressure over references concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and China’s occupation of Indian territory during the Modi government.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot alleged that portions dealing with these subjects were targeted for removal and described the development as an attack on democracy.

The BJP rejected the allegations and questioned the nature and contents of the memoir. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said whether the book ultimately qualifies as a memoir or fiction would be a matter for the author and publisher to determine.

Penguin Random House India denied claims that it was pressured by the government to alter the manuscript.

The publisher said the book had gone through its standard editorial process, during which various issues were discussed with representatives of Sonia Gandhi.

According to Penguin, some proposed changes were accepted by the author’s side, while in other cases the publisher accepted the author’s position.

However, the two sides ultimately failed to reach an understanding on one particular issue.

The publisher said Sonia Gandhi’s representatives subsequently informed it that they did not want to continue with the publication.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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