A stormy scene unfolded in the Lok Sabha after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi cited excerpts from an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on the 2020 India-China standoff, prompting strong objections from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah and repeated adjournments of the House.
Following the commotion in the House, which began discussion on the motion of thanks on the President's Address, was adjourned till 3 pm, 4 pm and later for the day. (File Photo)
New Delhi: Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed a massive uproar after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi quoted an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane while speaking on the 2020 India-China confrontation with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Home Minister Amit Shah objecting to it
Rahul Gandhi made the remarks while he stood to reply on motion on thanks to the President address. He then cited excerpts from the unreleased book of the former army chief.
The memoir, cited by the Congress leader, allegedly claims that four Chinese tanks were moving rapidly towards the Indian side and that the then Army chief had informed top government officials about it.
The ruling party strongly objected, arguing that Rahul Gandhi was quoting a book that has not yet been published.
Following the commotion in the House, which began discussion on the motion of thanks on the President's Address, was adjourned till 3 pm, 4 pm and later for the day.
The Lok Sabha MP from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli was just moments into his speech in he referred to an allegation made by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya against the Congress, linking it to questions of patriotism and national culture.
“This is from the memoirs of Army Chief Naravane… I’d like you to listen nicely; you will understand exactly who is patriotic, who is not…this is about when four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory; they were taking a ridge in Doklam… I quote from an article that is quoting his book…” he added, leading to an intervention from the Defence Minister.
Rajnath Singh demanded that the LoP declare whether this particular book had been published. “Has that book where all these things have been written been published? If it has been published, quote them, if it has not been published it is not appropriate to refer to them,” the Defence Minister submitted to the Speaker.
In response, Speaker On Birla underscored that the senior Congress leader was the LoP and experienced in such matters.
Citing the example of a similar submission by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Speaker added that she had also made a similar submission but on the basis of a published book.
Responding, the LoP said that what he was submitting was “100% authentic” and that the Defence Minister was “getting exercised” since he knew that his name was about to be quoted.
Even Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal stood up in the former Congress chief's defence, and said that what he was seeking to quote was a magazine report and there were precedents for this in Parliament and alleging that the LoP was deliberately being disturbed.
To this, Shah responded and said, “Let him say that it is a magazine report and not written by General Naravane…all the Defence Minister is saying is that you are referring to Naravane-ji’s book, has it been published or not. He should clarify…a magazine can write anything."
Despite Singh and Shah's intervention again to underline that the Congress leader had accepted that the book had not been published, making it ineligible to be mentioned in the House, Rahul Gandhi kept on repeating.
Even the Speaker added that even if it had been published, it could not be discussed.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi stated that a question was raised on his party by a Member of Parliament; and he was not about to raise this, but he has decided to do that to answer him.
Birla then quoted the several Rules, adding that the House needed to function as per established norms.
Even Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav came to the LOP’s supoort, adding that if it was a matter concerning national interest, he should be allowed to speak on it.
Yadav also mentioned that senior leaders like (George) Fernandes, Netaji (Mulayam Singh Yadav) used to say that they need to remain alert from China, which led to an intervention from Kiren Rijiju.
“We are here to listen, including the Honourable Prime Minister… the Chair has already given a ruling on this topic…after that too, he is repeatedly trying to read it again; how will the House function like this?” he stated.
Shah then also clarified that Tejashwi Surya had only referred to Presidential addresses during the UPA rule between 2004 and 2014.
Rahul Gandhi then said: “I am unable to understand; they say they fight terrorism, and they are afraid of one quote? What is there that they are so nervous about that I am not allowed to read it?…Why are they scared?” he asked.
Rahul Gandhi once again retaliated by alleging that what happened between India and China was known by “every soldier” of the country to which Rijiju cited Chinese incursions related in the occupation of Indian territory under then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s dispensation.
Rahul Gandhi while speaking to the media, "I am not being allowed to speak. I just have to speak 2-3 lines. It is a matter of national security. These are the words of the Army Chief (former), and it is a conversation that he has had with Rajnath Singh ji and PM Modi. All I am saying is that I want to say in the House what the Army Chief (former) has written and what orders did Rajnath Singh and PM Modi give him..."
He further questioned why he was being interrupted and accused the political leadership of avoiding accountability.
