Former Indian Army Chief, General (retired) Manoj Mukund Naravane expressed surprise at Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s reference to his unpublished memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, stating he has not seen the published version. General Naravane highlighted the government’s trust in the armed forces during critical situations like the 2020 India-China standoff, emphasizing the military’s freedom to act.
General Naravane addressed the controversy surrounding the alleged copy of his unpublished book, clarifying that no such copy is in circulation. He reiterated that neither he nor the publishing house has released any version of the book. Responding to questions about a specific line in the book mentioned by Rahul Gandhi, General Naravane dismissed any misinterpretation, stressing the Army’s autonomy in decision-making.
The former Army Chief underscored the collaborative effort involved in border actions, attributing success to a unified approach involving political, diplomatic, and military contributions. He credited this coordinated effort for the Chinese Army’s retreat during the Galwan standoff in 2020, emphasizing the significance of collective action in achieving positive outcomes.
General Naravane reiterated that the actions taken by the Indian armed forces compelled the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to withdraw, citing visible evidence of China dismantling bunkers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). He expressed disappointment at the reluctance of some to acknowledge these achievements, pointing to media coverage showing China’s retreat as a clear victory for India.
