Wed Feb 04 13:20:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Political Storm Brews in Indian Parliament Over Leaked Excerpts from Former Army Chief’s Book

The Story:

A controversy has erupted in the Indian Parliament following Congress leader Rahul Gandhi‘s attempt to quote from an unpublished book, “For Stars of Destiny,” authored by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund (MM) Naravane. The book allegedly details accounts of the Ladakh standoff with China, causing uproar among ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members who questioned the propriety of using unpublished material in parliamentary debates. The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Om Birla, cited parliamentary rules against referencing unauthenticated documents.

Rahul Gandhi, defended by his sister Priyanka Gandhi, insists that the excerpts are from a public source and highlight critical leadership reactions during the border crisis with China. Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that Rahul Gandhi has been informed of the parliamentary rules and procedures that must be followed. The book is currently under review by the Indian Army and is expected to be released in January 2024.

Key Points:

  • Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from ex-Army Chief MM Naravane‘s unpublished book on the Ladakh standoff.
  • The BJP raised objections, citing parliamentary rules against unverified sources.
  • Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla referred to Rule 349 (1), which restricts the use of unauthenticated materials in Parliament.
  • Priyanka Gandhi defended Rahul, stating that the government has previously quoted from magazines and books in Parliament.
  • The book allegedly contains accounts of the government’s response during the China border crisis, and its contents are being scrutinized.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident underscores the sensitivity of national security issues and the potential for political exploitation of military matters in India.
  • It raises questions about the boundaries of parliamentary debate and the use of unpublished materials.
  • The controversy may lead to stricter enforcement of parliamentary rules regarding the citation of sources.
  • The episode reflects heightened political tensions between the ruling and opposition parties, particularly concerning national security matters.
  • The scrutiny surrounding the book highlights the Indian Army’s concern over potentially sensitive information being prematurely released.

    Read More