New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Monday (February 2) saw a huge uproar from the Treasury benches after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised former Army chief General M.M. Naravane’s yet-unreleased memoir which contains a series of revelations, including the former Army chief detailing how he was handed a “hot potato” in dealing with Chinese troop movement in August 2020. As Gandhi sought to quote an article from The Caravan that includes lines from the book, three Union ministers – defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah and parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju erupted in protest. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too was present in the House but did not raise any objections.While the Union ministers objected to Gandhi quoting from a book that has not been published, they also said that articles from newspapers and magazines cannot be quoted. Gandhi accused the government of being scared, and not allowing him to read the excerpts from the article on Naravane’s book. Speaker Om Birla said that the leader of opposition was not abiding by house rules and cited Rule 349 – which says members shall not read any book, newspaper, or letter except in direct connection with the business of the House – to stop him from referring to the excerpts.In January 2024, The Wire had reported that Naravane’s memoir titled Four Stars of Destiny was “awaiting clearance” from the Union defence and external affairs ministries and had been delayed. When The Wire had asked Naravane about the final release date for the book, he said we should “check with publishers”. On Sunday, February 1, The Caravan quoted excerpts from the yet-unpublished book to highlight how the 2020 border clash with China was handled by the Modi government.In his reply during the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, Gandhi referred to BJP MP Tejasvi Surya’s speech and said that “because he has raised the issue of our patriotism and our understanding of Indian culture, I would like to start by reading something.”“This is from the memoir of Army chief Naravane. I would like you to listen nicely and you will understand who is patriotic and who is not. This is about when four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory, they were digging a ridge in Doklam, and the Army chief writes, and I quote from an article that is quoting his book. ‘The tanks were within a few hundred meters of the Kailash Range’,” said Gandhi as protests erupted from the Treasury Benches.Defence minister Singh said that “if the book has been published, it can be mentioned, but if it has not, then it cannot be mentioned.” Birla then said that Gandhi should authenticate any references made in the House. While Gandhi said that his references were authentic, Singh once again rose and demanded to know if the book had been published.“Rajnath ji is getting exercised because his name is going to be taken just now,” said Gandhi.As Gandhi again sought to reference the memoir, Singh interjected again and demanded to know if the book had not been published, Gandhi should clarify which book he is referring to. “The defence minister is asking if the book has been published. You should clarify that,” said Birla.Amid uproar in the House, Gandhi referred to the excerpt published in The Caravan, but Singh interjected again and said, “The book has not been published.”Home minister Shah then stood up and demanded to know if Naravane’s book has been published. “Magazine can write anything, has the book been published or not, he (Gandhi) should clarify.”Birla said that no references can be made which refer to newspaper cuttings that are not authentic.“Naravane has said that the government is not allowing his memoir to be published. I only want to read five lines in which Naravane has spoken about Rajnath Singh and Modi,” said Gandhi.Shah then said that since the book has not been published, as stated by Gandhi, the book cannot be referred to in the House.“Even if it was published it could not have been referred to in the House,” said Birla.As Gandhi proceeded to read from the Caravan article, Singh accused Gandhi of “attempting to mislead the House.”“An MP raised questions about our party, I was not going to raise this but to reply to him I am referring to this,” said Gandhi.Birla said that he had already ruled that no references can be made from newspapers, books or magazines that are not authentic. Amid loud protests between the opposition and Treasury benches, Birla asked Gandhi to abide by House rules. Samajwadi Party MP Akhilesh Yadav then said that the sensitive question about China should be discussed.“The Chinese question is sensitive. If there is any suggestion in the national interest then the leader of opposition should read it. Our leaders have said before that we should be careful about China,” said Yadav.Parliamentary affairs minister Rijiju then rose and accused the opposition of not abiding by the House rules.“Newspapers and books cannot be referred to, the ruling has been given. Today is the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. Leader of opposition is not abiding by the rules. House runs by rules. He is not speaking himself and not letting others speak – as the Chair has already given a ruling,” said Rijiju.After repeated objections from Shah and Singh, Gandhi said that the government was scared.“They say they fight terrorism yet they are scared of one quote,” he said. “What is there in this that they are so scared of? What is written here that they are so rattled that they are not letting me read it,” said Gandhi.“If they are not scared they should allow me to read it. Why are they scared?”“The President’s address is about India’s situation, our relationship with China, America, our exports. This is a fundamental explanation of our relationship with China,” said Gandhi holding a copy of the Caravan article. After close to 40 minutes of uproar in the House during which Treasury Benches continued to protest and Gandhi repeatedly attempted to quote from the Caravan’s excerpts, the House was adjourned till 3 pm. When it reconvened, BJP MP Jagdambika Pal who was presiding over the House said that the prime minister himself was sitting earlier and, along with everyone, was eager to listen to the leader of opposition. Pal said Gandhi should speak only the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address.“There is a very important matter that is relating to national security. What is there in these words that the prime minister has now escaped, and that Amit Shah has escaped?” asked Gandhi.Pal interjected to say that Gandhi can speak on many issues like road and energy. Rijiju once again stood up and took objection to Gandhi using the word “escape.”“Rahul Gandhi said that the prime minister had escaped. Is this a jail that they have ‘escaped’? This is not right,” said Rijiju.Amid uproar from both sides, Pal said that the Speaker’s ruling must be respected“I am raising the matter of national security. It is uncomfortable for the defence minister and the prime minister,” said Gandhi as Pal interjected again.“It is not uncomfortable for them. They only wanted to know if the book has been published,” said Pal.“The fact that they are not letting me speak, shows they are uncomfortable. Rajnath Singh is the minister, he is the minister and is aware of the minister who spoke to Naravane,” said Gandhi.Pal interjected again and said that Gandhi is once again raising the same matter and adjourned the House till Tuesday, February 3.ResponsesMeanwhile the BJP on its X handle put out a video of Naravane, seen in his service uniform in which he states: “Not an inch of land has been lost. We are exactly where we were before.”The video does not include a date.“Yet, to push his false narrative, Rahul Gandhi chose to misrepresent facts, dragging a former Army Chief into his dirty politics. That too, with a book that hasn’t even been published! When political agendas come before the nation and its Armed Forces, it exposes a deeply anti-national mindset,” the BJP post said.Later Rijiju said to reporters that Gandhi was not following the rules, and did not clarify about whether the book that he began to quote from was authentic. He also said that Gandhi should apologise for the land lost to China during the Congress rule in 1962.“On behalf of our party, we began today’s proceedings. We all, along with the Prime Minister, were seated to listen to the speech of the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. However, from the very beginning, Rahul Gandhi did not follow the rules. While quoting from a book, he did not clarify the authenticity of the publication and started reading passages without proper context,” he said.“The Defence Minister and others pointed out that the House must function according to its rules, and all members should speak in accordance with them. The Speaker ruled under 349 that unless any publication is authenticated that is not connected to the business of the house, cannot be referred to. Despite the ruling Gandhi repeated his claims,” said Rijiju.“Whether it is Aksai Chin, Ladakh, the areas occupied by China in 1962, can Congress bring them back? After Modi came to power our border infrastructure has been built, our border areas are armed. If he cannot return our land, he should apologise.”