Unpublished Memoir of General MM Naravane Sparks Political Firestorm Over Rahul Gandhi’s Use of Its Excerpts

An unpublished memoir by ex-Army chief General MM Naravane triggered controversy when Rahul Gandhi quoted its excerpts in Parliament, raising questions on defence clearance and publication norms.

on Feb 09, 2026

Unpublished Memoir of General MM Naravane Sparks Political Firestorm Over Rahul Gandhi’s Use of Its Excerpts

A memoir by General MM Naravane (Retd), the former Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army, has stirred a political storm in India after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attempted to use extracts from the book in Parliament.

Four Stars of Destiny (the title of the book) was originally set for launch in 2024 and made available for pre-order, but the launch has since been halted. The book remains unpublished and is awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which reviews all books written by retired service personnel that contain operationally sensitive information.

A hardcover copy of the unpublished book has reportedly surfaced in Parliament, which Rahul Gandhi used to criticise the government’s handling of defence-related matters, including the 2020 India–China standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Senior government ministers objected to Gandhi’s references, arguing that an unpublished book had no place in official proceedings. Under Lok Sabha rules, MPs can only read from authenticated sources directly related to House business — and quoting unpublished material is not permitted. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah both challenged Gandhi’s attempt, prompting the Lok Sabha Speaker to halt the discussion and adjourn the session.

The memoir’s pending clearance has also raised questions about why it remains in limbo when dozens of other military books have been cleared by the MoD since 2020. Records show that General Naravane’s book is the only manuscript still awaiting approval among many submitted by retired officers.

The ongoing political contention draws attention to larger issues surrounding open government, the correct use of parliamentary processes, and balancing the urgent needs for secrecy with the public's right to information about the Nation's defence. The opposition believes that it is necessary to have transparent discussion about the views of the former Chief of Army Staff, whereas the government believes that appropriate verification and clearance must occur before this type of information can be accessed or referenced in Parliament.