Penguin Random House India’s decision not to publish Sonia Gandhi’s memoir in India has triggered a political slugfest between the BJP and Congress.
BJP has challenged the claims and questioned the contents of the book While Congress has alleged “pressure” from the government and a “threat to freedom of expression”.
If a work labelled as a memoir turns out to be fiction, the publisher will certainly assess that before making a decision. I feel that if you attempt to politicise a work presented as a memoir, questions will inevitably be raised.”
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Whether the book written by Sonia Gandhi is a memoir or fiction is a matter to be decided between the author and the publisher.
Gandhi’s book deal with Penguin Random House India fell through after she refused to make changes or deletions of references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s ideological fount, and Chinese intrusions, HT reported earlier. Sonia Gandhi’s memoir are not merely ironic, they are glaringly hypocritical. 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. That is evident, and perhaps that is why Sonia Gandhi declined as well. We all understand the reason behind this. 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?”
Citing the late K Natwar Singh’s 2014 autobiography One Life Is Not Enough, Kesavan said excerpts from the book “clearly states how uneasy and uncomfortable the Nehru-Gandhi family was about his account of certain events in May 2004, before the UPA Government was sworn in.
BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan said, “The attempts by Congress leaders to spin stories and manufacture a false narrative of fear over the release of Smt. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said, “Penguin India is more than happy to publish ‘Exam Warriors’ and several books on RSS. Congress MP Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh said, “It is clear that no publisher, whether Penguin or anyone else, can influence an author or pressure them to remove or include specific content. Rajasthan Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, “Penguin Worldwide is ready to publish Smt.
