Budget sessions: The Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar on Monday as Union ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh countered Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over alleged excerpts from former army chief Manoj Naravane’s yet-to-be-released memoir on the Doklam standoff.
During his reply to the vote of thanks to the President’s address in the Lok Sabha, the Congress leader began his speech by quoting a magazine that had allegedly published Naravane’s memoirs from an “unpublished” book.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh opposed the LoP, saying he could not quote from an “unpublished” book and asked him to verify it before the House.
“He should not be allowed to talk about it… I want the LoP, Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi) to place in the House the book he is quoting from because the book he is referring to has not been published,” Singh said during the uproar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present in the House.
Former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s memoir, “Four Stars of Destiny”, remains unpublished as of early 2026 pending security clearances from the Ministry of Defence. The book got stuck in revision because of sensitive details related to the 2020 Ladakh standoff, Chinese politics and the Agnipath scheme.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also challenged speaker Om Birla and asked the speaker not to let anyone read from a book that has not been published. “The issue of the day is the vote of thanks for the President’s speech. Something that is not related to trade should not be allowed,” Shah said.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also came to Rahul Gandhi’s defense, saying it was a very sensitive issue. “Lohiyaji, Netaji (Mulayam Singh) and George Fernandes have all warned us against China. The issue regarding China is very sensitive. LoP, Lok Sabha should be allowed to speak,” he said.
Spokesperson Birla also asked the LoP not to break the rules and read from a book that is not published. He urged Rahul Gandhi to stick to the President’s address.
The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister said the Speaker had issued a ruling that magazine or newspaper articles could not be quoted in the House. “The debate in the House should be conducted according to the laws,” he said.
He should not be allowed to talk about it… I want the LoP, Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi) to bring before the House the book from which he is quoting.
Rahul Gandhi reiterated that he was reacting to the President’s speech because the President mentioned India’s relations with China.