Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s much-awaited autobiography ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ will now be published by HarperCollins in India. Publisher HarperCollins India has given this information through a social media post.
Sonia Gandhi Book Belonging: The way has now been cleared for the publication of senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s much-awaited autobiography ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ in India. Now HarperCollins India has announced to publish the book in India after Penguin Random House India withdrew from the project. According to the publisher, this book will be available to readers from November 10, 2026.
There was discussion about the book in the publishing world and political circles for some time. Uncertainty over its publication in India was heightened when the Indian arm of Penguin Random House reportedly distanced itself from the project.
HarperCollins made official announcement
HarperCollins India shared information about the publication of Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography through a social media post. The publisher has described it as a long-awaited political memoir. According to the company, ‘Belonging’ is a book that brings forth personal and public experiences such as love, identity, duty and belonging. The publisher claims that through the memoir, readers will get an opportunity to see India’s journey and its development from a different and personal perspective.
Sonia Gandhi has played an important role in Indian politics for many decades. In such a situation, his autobiography is expected to reveal new information on many aspects of his personal life as well as public life.
Why didn’t Penguin publish the book?
The controversy surrounding the publication of Sonia Gandhi’s book in India began when Penguin Random House, which holds the publishing rights, decided to withdraw from plans to publish the book in India. According to media reports, the publisher suggested making some editorial changes to the original manuscript and amending or cutting out some parts considered sensitive. However, reports also said that Sonia Gandhi was not ready for these changes. After this, a deadlock arose regarding the publication of the book in India.
It is important to clarify here that under Penguin’s international publishing arrangement its unit Alfred A. Knopf is involved in the publication of this book in other parts of the world. That is, the controversy was mainly regarding publication in India.
Why was there a political debate about the book?
The publication of Sonia Gandhi’s autobiography was not just an issue of the literary or publishing world. Political rhetoric on this also intensified after Penguin’s decision not to publish the book in India. Congress alleged that the publisher may be under pressure from the central government. The party linked this development to freedom of expression and publication.
At the same time, Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the allegations of Congress and put the responsibility of the publisher’s decision on itself. On behalf of BJP, it was argued that aspects like editorial process and fact-checking of the book could be part of the publisher’s decision. Thus, there was a sharp reaction among political parties regarding the publication of the book.
‘Belonging’ will be available in the market from November 10
Now after the publishing agreement with HarperCollins India, the way has been cleared for the book to reach readers in India. The sales of ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ have been announced to start from 10 November 2026. After the book comes out, it will be important to see how Sonia Gandhi has presented her political life, family, public responsibilities and experiences related to Indian politics.