Naravane Memoir Sparks Fierce Showdown in Lok Sabha
Former Army chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir triggered chaos in the Lok Sabha on Monday during the Budget Session. Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote excerpts from a magazine article that referenced the book’s typescript. The ruling benches objected immediately, turning the House disorderly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remained present throughout the exchange but chose not to intervene. The controversy quickly escalated into a full-blown political confrontation.
Doklam Reference Draws Sharp Objections from BJP Leaders
Rahul Gandhi raised the issue while countering BJP accusations that the Congress lacks patriotism. He cited a line referring to “Chinese tanks in Doklam,” which prompted Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to stand up and object. Singh questioned the validity of quoting an unpublished book and asserted that the memoir has not entered the public domain. Home Minister Amit Shah echoed the objection and asked how a leader could cite material that lacks official publication. Rahul Gandhi insisted that The Caravan magazine published verified excerpts and urged the government to respond to the substance rather than block discussion.
Speaker Enforces Rules, Stops Further References
Speaker Om Birla intervened and ruled that parliamentary procedure does not allow members to quote unpublished books or unauthenticated material. He directed Rahul Gandhi to continue his speech without referring to the memoir. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey supported the ruling and cited House conventions. When Rahul Gandhi attempted to rephrase his remarks without naming China, Rajnath Singh accused him of misleading Parliament. The Speaker stepped in again and reminded the Leader of Opposition to uphold the dignity of the House.
Free Speech Debate Deepens Political Tensions
The standoff soon widened into a debate over free speech and foreign policy discussions in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi argued that Parliament must openly debate relations with China and Pakistan. Speaker Birla rejected the argument and said such references could harm India’s international standing. He instructed Rahul Gandhi to restrict his remarks to the President’s address. Rijiju later demanded discussion on disciplinary action for repeated rule violations. The episode also revived questions surrounding Naravane’s memoir, Four Stars of Destiny. The book was scheduled for release in 2024, and media outlets had reported excerpts earlier. However, the publication stalled, transforming the memoir into a fresh political flashpoint.
