Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday, 29 August criticised the Congress for politicising the controversy surrounding the proposed Indian publication of Sonia Gandhi's memoir, arguing that a dispute between an author and a publisher should be settled privately — not escalated into a political confrontation with the government.

Shekhawat's Core Argument

Responding to questions in Jaipur about reports that Penguin India had declined to release the book domestically, Shekhawat said the matter was straightforward: two parties in a contractual disagreement should resolve it themselves.

'If there is a conflict between an author and a publisher, both may have their own views and interests. The matter should be resolved accordingly. Instead of politicising it, the author could simply have approached another publisher. What is the need to drag the Government of India into it?' Shekhawat said.

What the Controversy Is About

The memoir by Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was expected to be released in India on 10 November. Reports emerged that Penguin India — the Indian arm of the global publisher — had declined to publish the book, with allegations surfacing that pressure may have been applied to remove certain passages. Those allegations have not been established.

The disputed sections reportedly deal with China, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Congress has framed the episode as a freedom-of-expression issue, questioning the circumstances behind the publication decision.

What the Congress Said

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had earlier flagged what he described as a troubling sequence of events. 'The moment it was announced that it would be published on November 10, there was nationwide anticipation for its release. Then came the shocking news: While Penguin India's global parent company was ready to publish the book, the Indian office was not. What could be the reason for this? There is some pressure involved, whether from the PMO or elsewhere, only time will tell,' Gehlot said.

Gehlot added that Sonia Gandhi had reportedly been asked to remove certain excerpts and had refused. 'Presumably, the discomfort arose because the book contained comments regarding China, Modi Ji, and the RSS. So, where is the democracy in that,' he questioned.

Rajasthan Local Body Elections

Shekhawat also addressed the ongoing local body elections in Rajasthan, expressing confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would secure a 'massive majority' not only in Jaipur but across the state. He said results expected within the next 10–12 days would clarify the political landscape. Taking a swipe at Gehlot, Shekhawat said the former chief minister would be forced to reassess his political read of the state and confront internal divisions within the Congress after the results come in.

As the standoff between the Congress and the publisher remains unresolved, the question of whether — and how — the memoir eventually reaches Indian readers is likely to stay in the political spotlight.