The Lok Sabha witnessed high-octane drama today, February 2, 2026, as Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane, titled Four Stars Of Destiny. The speech, centered on the 2020 Ladakh standoff, was met with fierce resistance from senior cabinet ministers, including Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, who argued that quoting unpublished material violates parliamentary rules. The resulting uproar—fueled by debates over national security and “fake news”—led Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House until 3 PM.
The standoff in Parliament revolved around a magazine article discussing General Naravane’s yet-to-be-released book, which reportedly details the internal deliberations during the 2020 border tensions with China.
| Stakeholder | Argument / Action |
| Rahul Gandhi (LoP) | Asserted the material is “100% authentic.” Challenged the BJP, asking why they are “scared” of the book’s contents. |
| Rajnath Singh (Defence Min.) | Objected on procedural grounds, stating an unpublished book cannot be quoted on the floor of the House. |
| Amit Shah (Home Minister) | Questioned the validity of quoting a book that hasn’t officially hit the shelves. |
| Kiren Rijiju (Parl. Affairs) | Suggested disciplinary action for a member who “doesn’t obey the Speaker’s ruling.” |
| Akhilesh Yadav (SP Chief) | Supported the LoP, stating the China issue is “sensitive” and should be discussed. |
Why the Book ‘Four Stars Of Destiny’ is Significant
The memoir by General Naravane (who served as Army Chief during the Galwan clash) has been a subject of intense scrutiny:
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The Ladakh Standoff: The book reportedly sheds light on the night of August 31, 2020, when Indian and Chinese tanks were in close proximity at Rechin La.
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Publication Delay: The book has faced delays in its official release, reportedly due to the mandatory review process for retired high-ranking military officials writing on sensitive security matters.
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The “Fake News” Charge: Government sources have labeled Gandhi’s reading of the article as a “fake news factory” and a “dangerous precedent” for slandering through concocted facts.
Key Quotes from the Floor
Rahul Gandhi: “What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on.”
Rajnath Singh: “I want that LoP… should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book… has not been published.”
Government Sources: “Tomorrow, BJP leaders can also concoct facts and say it is in some unpublished book… [Gandhi] has trivialised the floor of Parliament.”
Rahul Gandhi noted that he felt “compelled” to address the issue after BJP MP Tejasvi Surya allegedly questioned the Congress party’s patriotism. The debate shifted rapidly from border security to the technicalities of parliamentary procedure and the ethical implications of using unpublished leaks as evidence in a legislative debate.
