New Delhi: Penguin Random House India (PRHI) on Monday said there was no external pressure behind its decision not to publish Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's
memoir in India. The publisher said talks broke down over “a particular issue”, but it did not disclose what that issue was. The clarification comes amid controversy over the India publication of Belonging: A Journey of Love. Alfred A Knopf, a US-based imprint of Penguin Random House, has announced that the memoir will be released worldwide on November 10. Several Congress leaders have alleged government pressure and raised concerns over freedom of expression. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot claimed that Penguin India was pressured to remove sections about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and China's occupation of Indian territory during the Modi government. PRHI rejected these claims. “We feel it is important for us to correct certain misrepresentations regarding the forthcoming memoir 'Belonging'. This is a book that we at Penguin Random House India, were really keen on publishing as it was a hard-won acquisition,” Pallavi Narayan, spokesperson for PRHI, told news agency PTI. “Since the content of the book is confidential and under embargo, there was no external pressure whatsoever,” the publisher said.
Why Did Penguin India Drop The Memoir?
PRHI said the manuscript went through its “normal editorial process”, during which several issues were discussed with the author's representatives.
“On some, they agreed to changes and on others, we accepted the author’s position. Unfortunately, and ultimately, an understanding could not be reached on a particular issue,” it said.
The author's team later told the publisher that they did not want to continue with the publication, PRHI said.
The publisher said it respected the decision but would not reveal what led to the disagreement.
“Since we are bound by an agreement, and author confidentiality is paramount to us, we will not divulge details of what led to the impasse,” the publisher said.
Penguin India said it was its “responsibility and duty” to critically assess a manuscript, raise questions, make recommendations and exercise independent editorial judgement.
“We did just that with Belonging as well,” it said.
Sonia Gandhi Memoir Controversy
The controversy grew after reports that Penguin India had decided against publishing the memoir following disagreements over proposed editorial changes. The publishing house subsequently faced criticism from opposition leaders and social media users.
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath also questioned whether the publisher's decision was influenced by outside pressure.
The memoir is expected to cover Sonia Gandhi's childhood in post-war Italy, her marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family, the assassination of her husband Rajiv Gandhi and her entry into politics.
While the book will not be published by Penguin Random House India, Alfred A Knopf has announced its worldwide release on November 10.
PRHI is the Indian subsidiary and operating company of Penguin Random House, the global publishing group.
