{
  "id": 4141110,
  "title": "‘Memoir or fiction?’: BJP targets Sonia Gandhi’s book as Congress alleges govt pressure",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/memoir-or-fiction-bjp-targets-sonia-gandhis-book-as-congress-alleges",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T07:25:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-book-sparks-bjp-vs-congress-memoir-or-fiction-govt-pressure-allegations-penguin-india-row-101787984962111.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The BJP has launched an investigation into the decision not to publish Sonia Gandhi's memoir in India, accusing the government of exerting pressure and threatening freedom of expression. Congress, on the other hand, claims the BJP is being hypocritical and politicizing the book. BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi questioned whether the book should be considered a memoir or fiction, suggesting the publisher would assess the contents before releasing it. The BJP's National Spokesperson, CR Kesavan, argued that the Congress is manufacturing a false narrative of fear over the release of the memoir. He pointed to an excerpt from K Natwar Singh's 2014 autobiography, noting that Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met him before its release to discuss content. BJP compared this controversy to the current debate, asking which parts of the memoir required fact-checking. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the BJP government of backing away from publishing the book due to fears of public scrutiny. Dr Akhilesh Prasad Singh emphasized that no publisher can pressure an author to remove or include specific content, suggesting the issue is rooted in government pressure. Rajasthan Congress leader Ashok Gehlot highlighted the international presence of Sonia Gandhi's life and questioned the reason behind the Indian publisher's reluctance to publish the book, alleging suppression of truth and a violation of democracy.",
  "summary": "Penguin Random House India clarified it is not publishing Sonia Gandhi's memoir, ‘Belonging.’",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Exclusive: Penguin India sought cuts to Modi, RSS, China portions in Sonia Gandhi's memoir",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/exclusive-penguin-india-sought-cuts-to-modi-rss-china-portions-in",
        "published": "2026-08-28T10:39:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Sonia Gandhi's memoir row deepens, Congress alleges government pressure",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/sonia-gandhis-memoir-row-deepens-congress-alleges-government-pressure",
        "published": "2026-08-28T20:51:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}