'Not allowed to be published, why are they scared?': Rahul Gandhi on Naravane's 'memoir' row following uproar in Lok Sabha

Rahul Gandhi speaking on Lok Sabha

• Rahul Gandhi cited excerpts from ex-Army chief Naravane's unpublished memoir
• Gandhi says memoir criticizes PM Modi and Rajnath Singh's Army management.
• Lok Sabha adjourned due to protests over Gandhi's unpublished book references.

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Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi (LoP) on Monday defended his attempt to refer to what he described as excerpts from the unpublished memoir of former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, insisting that he was merely citing the general’s own perspective and not offering personal commentary.

Responding to objections raised in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi told news agency ANI, “This is not me, this is what the Army Chief (former) has written in a book. The book is not being allowed to be published. It is languishing, and this is the Army Chief's perspective. Why are they so scared of the Army Chief's perspective? Why are they so scared of what the Army Chief has to say?”

He maintained that the contents of the book would be instructive for the country. “We will learn something from it. Of course, we will learn something about a Prime Minister. We will learn something about Rajnath Singh ji. But we will also learn something about the Army and how it was let down by the political leadership of the country,” Gandhi said.

The Congress leader further asserted that the alleged memoir contains direct references to the Prime Minister and Defence Minister.

“I'm saying that Naravane ji has clearly written about the Prime Minister and Rajnath Singh ji in his book. It has appeared in an article. I am quoting the article. They are not letting me speak,” he told reporters after the adjournment.

Taking aim at the ruling party, Gandhi added, “They are scared because if it comes out, the reality of Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh will be revealed to the people and what happened to the 56-inch chest when China was standing against us, advancing?”

The row triggered sharp reactions from the treasury benches. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Gandhi of defying the Speaker’s ruling and disrupting proceedings. According to Rijiju, Speaker Om Birla had clearly stated that only authenticated documents could be quoted in the House.

Citing parliamentary rules, Rijiju said that books, periodicals and news clippings cannot be referred to during debates if they are not relevant to the subject under discussion. He alleged that Gandhi “repeated the same mistake” and “wasted” the House’s time by persisting with his references.

The controversy erupted when Gandhi, while replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, sought to counter remarks made earlier by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on nationalism. As Gandhi began quoting from what he described as the “memoir” of the former Army chief, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other BJP members objected strongly, accusing him of misleading Parliament.

Amid continuous sloganeering and protests, the Lok Sabha was adjourned till 4 pm, with the confrontation over Gandhi’s remarks remaining unresolved. After resumption, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal who sat in Speaker's chair adjourned the House till 11 am on Tuesday amind continued uproar.