A memoir of self-glorification! Sonia Gandhi’s book 'Belonging: A Journey of Love' faces heat over factual errors

Bhubaneswar, Nov 11: Soon after the release of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s much-discussed autobiography Belonging: A Journey of Love, the book has come under scrutiny over alleged factual inaccuracies and controversial historical references.

Several discrepancies related to major political events and timelines have reportedly been identified in the memoir, triggering criticism from political opponents.

One of the key errors highlighted concerns the death of senior Congress leader and Sonia Gandhi’s political secretary Ahmed Patel. The book reportedly states that Patel died during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022.

Also read: BJP accuses Sonia Gandhi of playing down Emergency, shielding Nehru-Gandhi family in new memoir

However, Ahmed Patel passed away on November 25, 2020. Another alleged inaccuracy relates to the anti-corruption movement led by social activist Anna Hazare.

The memoir reportedly mentions the movement as taking place in 2012, whereas Anna Hazare’s campaign began at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on April 5, 2011, before shifting to Ramlila Maidan later that year.

The controversy has provided fresh ammunition to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). BJP MP Nishikant Dubey criticised the memoir, alleging that it portrays Sanjay Gandhi as a villain while presenting Rajiv Gandhi in a favourable light.

Dubey argued that such portrayals are difficult to challenge today as both leaders are no longer alive.

He also questioned Sonia Gandhi’s reflections on the Emergency period, asking why then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had chosen Sanjay Gandhi over Rajiv Gandhi in the 1980 elections if there had been such strong disagreements within the family.

The BJP leader further accused Sonia Gandhi of failing to understand Indian cultural and family values. Referring to Maneka Gandhi’s exit from the Gandhi household, Dubey questioned whether Sonia Gandhi had shown any concern at that time.

According to Dubey, the book appears to be an attempt at self-praise while portraying others negatively. The controversy surrounding the book has reignited political debate.