In her newly released memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi offers a deeply personal account of her life, love, and political journey in India. On the morning of October 31, 1984, Sonia Gandhi, then a young wife and mother residing in the prime minister's residence in Delhi, witnessed the assassination of her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, by two of her Sikh bodyguards. The event marked the beginning of a turbulent journey for Sonia, who found herself at the epicenter of Indian politics following her husband Rajiv Gandhi's ascent to the prime ministership and eventually becoming one of the country's most consequential political figures.
The memoir recounts the tragic loss of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, as well as Sonia's struggles with grief and public life. Following her husband's assassination, Sonia faced immense pressure to enter politics, a world she had initially shunned. Despite her initial reservations about politics, the decline of the Congress party and the rising tide of Hindu nationalism convinced her to take on a more active role in Indian politics.
Sonia's decision to enter politics was influenced by her personal loss and a desire to protect India's pluralistic ethos. The family name carried an appeal beyond religion, caste, language, and region, making her a powerful symbol for the Congress party. Sonia's doubts about her own credentials were alleviated through her study of the Bhagavad Gita, which emphasized the importance of performing one's duty without attachment to the fruits of one's actions.
The memoir culminates with Sonia's leadership of the Congress party following its 2004 election victory and her collaboration with Manmohan Singh, who served as prime minister during her tenure as party president. The memoir offers a unique insight into the personal and political life of one of India's most influential political figures.