The Lok Sabha witnessed intense debate and disruption on Monday when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi tried to quote from what he said were excerpts of an unpublished memoir by former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane during the ongoing Budget Session. The move sparked strong objections from senior ministers and led to a heated political confrontation that forced the House to be adjourned temporarily.
The memoir, titled Four Stars of Destiny, has not been officially published and is reportedly under review by the Ministry of Defence. Gandhi cited an article carried by a popular magazine purportedly based on the memoir’s typescript, igniting a parliamentary row.
Why Did the Lok Sabha Row Erupt?
During debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Rahul Gandhi sought to counter criticism from the ruling party by referencing the unpublished memoir. He quoted a line suggesting that “Chinese tanks were within a few hundred metres of Indian positions” during the 2017 Doklam standoff — a highly sensitive national security issue.
This is the very excerpt from former Army Chief Gen. Manoj Mukund Naravane’s book Four Stars of Destiny that Leader of Opposition @RahulGandhi wanted to quote in Parliament.
The question is simple: what is written here that makes the Modi government so uncomfortable?
At a… pic.twitter.com/lCOfevAziJ— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) February 2, 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah immediately objected, questioning the authenticity and publication status of the source Gandhi was quoting. They argued that an unpublished book or magazine excerpts based on it cannot be cited in Parliament.
Speaker Om Birla backed the objection, reiterating parliamentary rules that unpublished material cannot be treated as an authenticated source. The Speaker directed Gandhi to continue his speech without referring to the book.
Who Is General MM Naravane?
General Manoj Mukund Naravane is a retired Indian Army officer who served as the 27th Chief of Army Staff from December 31, 2019, to April 30, 2022. He also served briefly as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee before his superannuation.
Born on April 22, 1960, in Pune, Naravane comes from a military background, being the son of a former Indian Air Force officer. He graduated from the National Defence Academy (Pune) and the Indian Military Academy (Dehradun) and earned an M.Phil in Defence Studies during his career.
Commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in 1980, he rose through the ranks, commanding units in operational areas including Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast. He also led the Assam Rifles and held key leadership roles before becoming Army chief.
What Is Four Stars of Destiny About?
Four Stars of Destiny is touted as a memoir covering General Naravane’s long military career, including his early encounters with China and major operational decisions during his tenure. The book is reported to include insights into incidents such as the Galwan clash and Doklam standoff, plus reflections on military leadership and strategic planning.
Published by Penguin and listed on online platforms like Amazon, the book’s release has been delayed due to pending security clearances, especially relating to sensitive border and defence matters.
Parliamentary Rules on Quoting Unpublished Material
Parliamentary protocol does not allow members to quote from unpublished books or unverified sources during official proceedings. The Speaker noted that only authenticated and publicly accessible material can be laid on the table and cited in speeches. Excerpts from newspaper or magazine articles based on unpublished work are not considered legitimate sources for debate.
Political Reactions and Broader Debate
The controversy quickly became a flashpoint for broader political arguments:
- Opposition MPs backed Gandhi, saying the issues raised related to national security and foreign policy deserved open debate.
- Ruling party leaders maintained that quoting unpublished material risked misinformation and violating parliamentary norms.
- Some lawmakers also framed the episode as part of ongoing tensions over India-China relations and transparency in defence matters.
Lok Sabha Adjourned as Tensions Escalate
The debate escalated with repeated interruptions from both sides, prompting the Speaker to adjourn the Lok Sabha until 3 PM to restore order. The clash underscored deep partisan divisions and highlighted the challenge of discussing sensitive military and foreign policy issues within parliamentary constraints.
What Happens Next for the Memoir?
Despite the controversy, Four Stars of Destiny remains unpublished pending clearances. The uproar may intensify calls for its release or raise questions about transparency in allowing former military leaders to share unfiltered accounts of sensitive events.
As Parliament resumes, the debate over national security, free speech, and parliamentary rules is likely to continue shaping political discourse in the coming days.
