Congress leaders on Friday (August 28, 2026) accused Penguin Random House India of giving in to pressure over the publication of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, with senior party leader Ashok Gehlot alleging that the publisher sought to remove portions critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS, and the alleged “occupation” of Indian territory by China.

The Congress reactions came after Penguin Random House India issued a statement, saying that “fact-checking and editorial recommendations” were part of its normal publishing process.

“Penguin Worldwide is ready to publish Smt.

Sonia Gandhi ji’s upcoming book worldwide in its original form, but Penguin Random House India wants changes made to launch it in India.

After all, what is the reason or what pressure is there that what is being published across the world cannot be published in India?” Mr.

Gehlot said in a post on X.

Congress questions Centre’s free coaching plan, cites poor record of existing scheme ‘Murder of democracy’ He said Ms.

Gandhi’s “integrity and dignity” in public life were exemplary and alleged that suppressing her book under pressure amounted to a “murder of freedom of expression”.

“The real issue is that pressure was put on Penguin India to remove the portions related to Modi, the RSS, and the occupation of Indian territory by China during Modi’s rule.

This is the murder of democracy,” he alleged.

Congress chief urges PM Modi to share delimitation plan, freeze Lok Sabha strength at 543 Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath termed the publisher’s refusal to bring out the memoir in India a matter of “grave concern” and questioned whether the decision had been taken independently.

“Will the publisher decide what a senior figure like Mrs.

Gandhi will write and what she will not?

The question also arises whether the publisher is saying this on its own or if there is pressure from someone on it?” Mr.

Nath said.

‘Editorial independence compromised’ Congress deputy leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi described Penguin India’s statement on the controversy as “weak”.

“Such a weak statement.

Penguin India is more than happy to publish Exam Warriors [written by Mr.

Modi] and several books on the RSS.

No doubt there are those in the BJP government who have now become afraid of a book being being read by the people of India,” Mr.

Gogoi said on X.

Congress Seva Dal chief B.V.

Srinivas also attacked the publishing house, accusing it of compromising its editorial independence.

“Dear Modi’s Penguin, godi mein baithkar ‘editorial independence’ bolna thoda funny lagta hai.

Reed ki haddi hoti toh publisher kehlate [Dear Modi’s Penguin, it sounds funny when you talk about ‘editorial independence’ while sitting on the lap.

If you had a spine, you would have been called a publisher],” Mr.

Srinivas said in a post on X.