Truth Cannot Be Edited Away: VD Satheesan on Sonia Gandhi Memoir Row
CM Satheesan alleged that the publisher's decision was concerning and accused the Central Government of creating an atmosphere of intimidation
Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Saturday criticised Penguin Random House India over its decision regarding Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir, saying that "truth cannot be edited away to appease those in power".
CM Satheesan alleged that the publisher's decision was concerning and accused the Central Government of creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
In a post on X, Keralam CM wrote, "A publishing house that compromises its spine compromises democracy itself. The decision by Penguin Random House India regarding Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji's memoir, is deeply concerning. When a global publisher can release a book worldwide in its original form, why the sudden urge to censor and edit facts in India?"
Hitting out at the Union government, he further added, "This institutional cowardice is the direct fallout of a Central Government that governs through intimidation and is terrified of the unvarnished truth. Truth cannot be edited away to appease those in power. Suppressing facts only exposes the fear of accountability and transparency. In a thriving democracy, facts must be met with debate, not institutional capitulation."
Meanwhile, on Friday, Penguin Random House India issued a statement clarifying that it is not the publisher in India of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi's memoir 'Belonging'.
The publisher made the clarification following media reports, which claimed that it had withdrawn from releasing 'Belonging' in the country, as she had reportedly rejected proposed editorial changes.
"Penguin Random House India is not the publisher of 'Belonging' in India. Any suggestion that Penguin Random House India decided not to publish 'Belonging' because the author declined editorial changes does not accurately reflect the circumstances," the note read.
The publisher said it's still "keen to publish the book" and stressed that fact-checking and suggesting editorial changes are part of its responsibility.
"As a publisher, it is both our prerogative and our responsibility to fact-check and provide authors with recommendations that are in the best interests of their books. This is a normal part of the publishing process. Throughout the relevant discussions, Penguin Random House India's position was that we remained willing and keen to publish the book. We will not comment further on confidential discussions with the author," the statement further read.
The memoir chronicles Sonia Gandhi's remarkable journey, from her childhood in post-war Italy and her romance that brought her to India to the devastating personal losses that profoundly shaped her life and her relationship with her adopted country.
In the memoir, the 79-year-old Congress veteran, who holds the distinction of being the party's longest-serving president, revisits her childhood in Italy, her romance with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during their time at Cambridge, and the assassinations of her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, and husband Rajiv Gandhi.
Born in Italy, Sonia Gandhi was a 19-year-old student in Cambridge, England, when she met Rajiv Gandhi in 1965.
The couple exchanged vows on February 25, 1968.
Publisher Alfred A Knopf announced on August 18 that Sonia Gandhi's memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', will be published on November 10.
Alfred A. Knopf is an imprint of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, which is a division of Penguin Random House, LLC.
Their parent company is Bertelsmann AG, an international media company.
Now, after the Penguin Random House statement, it remains to be seen when 'Belonging' will be released in India and through which publishing house.
