Rahul Gandhi Quotes Unpublished Army Memoir, Triggers Lok Sabha Chaos

03 Feb 2026
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A heated exchange erupted in the Lok Sabha after Rahul Gandhi quoted from an unpublished memoir during a debate on border tensions, prompting objections over parliamentary rules and source credibility.

New Delhi: Proceedings in the Lok Sabha were disrupted on February 2 after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi referred to excerpts from an unpublished memoir during a debate on national security, triggering objections from the Treasury benches.

Participating in the Budget Session discussion, Gandhi cited passages from Four Stars of Destiny, a forthcoming book by former Army Chief M. M. Naravane. He pointed to an episode linked to August 31, 2020, in eastern Ladakh’s Kailash Range, claiming it reflected a lapse in political leadership during heightened tensions with China. According to Gandhi, then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message to the military to “do what you deem appropriate.”

The ruling side objected sharply, arguing that citing an unpublished and unverified source violated parliamentary conventions. Presiding officers ruled the reference inadmissible, leading to noisy protests, repeated adjournments and heated exchanges between members of the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Analysis: The episode underscores how sensitive border-related debates remain in Parliament, where sourcing and verification are as contentious as policy itself. For lawmakers, the incident serves as a reminder that credibility of material can decisively shape the tone—and fate—of crucial national security discussions. This assessment reflects analytical opinion; all factual details above are drawn from the original content.