The controversy erupted in the Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi referred to sensitive details from Naravane’s unpublished book on the 2020 Ladakh standoff, with ministers objecting that unpublished material cannot be cited in Parliament.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi | February 2, 2026: The ongoing Budget Session of Parliament witnessed high drama and repeated disruptions in the Lok Sabha on Monday after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote excerpts from the unpublished memoir of former Chief of Army Staff General M.M. Naravane, triggering fierce objections from the treasury benches and forcing an adjournment of proceedings till 3 pm.
The uproar erupted during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to President Droupadi Murmu’s Address, when Rahul Gandhi cited passages allegedly drawn from a magazine article quoting Gen Naravane’s forthcoming book, Four Stars of Destiny. The excerpts pertained to sensitive military developments along the India–China border, particularly during the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House during much of the heated exchange, heightening the political intensity of the confrontation.
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BJP questioned Congress patriotism, Rahul Gandhi Ji stood to reply.
As soon as he started quoting statement of former Army chief Narwane, Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh objected.
The govt itself stopped publication of Army chief’s book and now shouting….this is their patriotism. pic.twitter.com/oG5SPrbywc
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) February 2, 2026
Treasury Benches Object, Chaos Erupts
As Gandhi began reading from printed pages of the magazine article, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah strongly objected, questioning both the authenticity of the source and the parliamentary propriety of quoting unpublished material.
Rajnath Singh demanded that Gandhi place the actual book before the House, pointing out that the memoir remains unpublished and pending official security clearance. Amit Shah argued that quoting from magazine articles or unpublished works violates established parliamentary rules and risks misleading the House.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju backed the objections, citing the Speaker’s previous rulings that prohibit quoting newspaper or magazine reports unrelated to official parliamentary business.
Despite repeated interruptions, loud sloganeering, and objections, Rahul Gandhi pressed ahead, questioning why the government appeared uncomfortable with the contents.
“What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on,” he said.
The heated exchange soon spiralled into full-blown disorder, forcing Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House till 3 pm.
About the Memoir and Its Contents
General Manoj Mukund Naravane served as Chief of Army Staff from December 2019 to April 2022, a tenure that included the deadly Galwan Valley clash in June 2020, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in hand-to-hand combat with Chinese troops.
His memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, provides a detailed account of his four-decade military career, covering India–China border tensions, the Ladakh standoff, Line of Control skirmishes with Pakistan, and high-stakes military decision-making.
According to media excerpts, the book recounts critical moments, including the night of August 31, 2020, when Chinese PLA tanks and infantry advanced towards the strategic Rechin La pass near the Kailash Range. Naravane reportedly describes seeking guidance from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who allegedly responded: “Jo uchit samjho woh karo” (Do whatever you deem appropriate).
The memoir also reflects on the Galwan clash, calling it one of the darkest days of his career, and suggests that Chinese casualties were far higher than officially acknowledged by Beijing.
As of February 2026, the book remains unpublished due to pending security clearances from the Ministry of Defence, reportedly over concerns related to sensitive operational details, China policy, and defence reforms such as the Agnipath scheme.
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Chronology of Today’s Events
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13:33 IST: Rahul Gandhi begins his speech, responding to BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s remarks questioning Congress’s patriotism.
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13:36–13:43 IST: Gandhi references Naravane’s memoir while discussing China border issues.
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13:41–13:44 IST: Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah object, citing House rules.
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13:46 IST: Sloganeering and chaos escalate as Gandhi continues speaking.
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13:54 IST: Kiren Rijiju invokes Speaker’s ruling against quoting media reports.
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13:59 IST: Gandhi challenges the government’s objections.
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14:14 IST: Lok Sabha adjourned till 3 pm amid disorder.
Political Context and Implications
The episode has rekindled political tensions over the 2020 Ladakh standoff, with the government maintaining that no Indian territory was lost, while the opposition alleges strategic failures and lack of transparency.
Rahul Gandhi’s move to cite the former Army chief’s memoir appears aimed at countering BJP accusations regarding Congress’s patriotism, while simultaneously challenging the government’s official narrative on China.
The ruling coalition, however, framed the objections as a matter of parliamentary discipline and national security, warning against citing unverified or sensitive material inside the House.
With Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reply scheduled for February 4, the confrontation is expected to intensify further, setting the stage for a stormy continuation of the Budget Session.
