BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to apologize for his comments in Parliament about a book supposedly written by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. Trivedi highlighted that both the publisher, Penguin, and General Naravane clarified that no such book exists, with Penguin warning of copyright infringement for any circulating copies. Trivedi accused Gandhi of misleading Parliament on national security issues, labeling his actions as “unforgivable.”
The controversy escalated as Gandhi tried to reference the alleged book during debates in Parliament, leading to disruptions and suspensions of opposition MPs. The government stated that the book is under Ministry of Defence review, while the Opposition accused it of concealing information about the India-China clash. General Naravane’s endorsement of Penguin’s statement clarified the book’s status, but political tensions persist in Parliament. Amid calls for normalcy, the Budget Session continues amidst acrimony.
Former Army Chief General (Retd) M.M. Naravane addressed the controversy over his unpublished memoir on the Galwan standoff, emphasizing the book’s status amid the government-Opposition clash. General Naravane shared Penguin’s clarification on his book titled ‘Four Stars of Destiny,’ which has been central to the Lok Sabha deadlock. The dispute intensified as Rahul Gandhi disputed claims that the book was under Ministry of Defence review, alleging it was publicly available. The publisher, Penguin Random House, affirmed its sole authority over the book and warned of legal action against unauthorized dissemination.
