Naravane Memoir Row Sparks Political Clash Over Unreleased Book Claims

A political controversy has erupted over an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, after Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi referred to the book in Parliament, triggering sharp reactions from the government and the publisher. The episode has raised questions about how an unreleased manuscript entered public discourse and whether sensitive material was accessed without authorisation.

The book, titled Four Stars of Destiny, has not been officially released, according to its publisher, Penguin Random House India. Despite this, Rahul Gandhi displayed a copy during a Lok Sabha session to criticise the government, claiming the memoir contained information relevant to national security and defence decision-making. His remarks led to disruptions in Parliament and intensified the political standoff between the ruling party and the Opposition.

Penguin Random House India has clarified that the memoir has not been published in either print or digital form and that any copies circulating are unauthorised. The publisher stated that a book is considered published only when it is made available for sale, adding that it may pursue legal action against those responsible for distributing the manuscript without permission. This statement further fuelled the debate, as questions arose about the authenticity of the copy cited in Parliament.

Rahul Gandhi challenged the publisher’s assertion, pointing to earlier public remarks by General Naravane that appeared to suggest the book was ready or available. He argued that the former Army chief’s credibility should not be questioned and implied that contradictions in official explanations warranted closer scrutiny. The Congress leader maintained that the issue was not about publication technicalities but about the substance of the memoir and its implications.

The controversy has also drawn attention to the circulation of the manuscript beyond Parliament. Reports of unauthorised sharing on social media prompted the registration of a police case, with investigators tasked with determining how the material was leaked and whether any laws were violated in the process. Security agencies are reportedly examining whether the manuscript contained sensitive information requiring clearance.

The government, while refraining from commenting on the contents of the book, has focused on procedural and security concerns. Leaders from the ruling side have questioned the appropriateness of citing an unpublished work in Parliament, especially one authored by a former service chief, and have accused the Opposition of politicising the armed forces.