India, Aug. 28 -- Several Congress leaders on Friday lashed out at Penguin Random House India, asking what is preventing it from publishing Sonia Gandhi's memoir in India when it is being published worldwide by its imprint and wondered whether there was any "pressure" from the government.

They also said the publisher's "refusal" to publish the autobiography is a "murder of freedom of expression" and a matter of grave concern.

Their reaction came after Penguin Random House India issued a statement saying it is not the publisher of Gandhi's memoir "Belonging: A Journey of Love".

Earlier this month, American publisher Alfred A Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House, announced that the book would release on November 10.

"Penguin Random...