- By Nidhi Giri
- Mon, 02 Feb 2026 01:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday objected after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi cited remarks attributed to former Army Chief on the China threat, stating that the book he quoted from had not been published and that referring to such material was against the rules of the House.
Rahul Gandhi countered saying that his source was authentic and includes quotes from the unpublished memoirs of a former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane. He said, "The BJP MP said that we are not patriots. On this I want to say that former Army Chief Naravane has written in his book that the Chinese army is infiltrating the Indian border."
Rajnath Singh said that LoP should back up his claims with evidence. He should not make allegations without facts. "I want that LoP, Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published," Rajntah remarked.
VIDEO | Parliament budget session: In Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi terms former army chief's memoirs as '100 percent authentic,' Rajnath Singh asks whether the book has been published or not pic.twitter.com/jSWxpHGQdm
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 2, 2026
"If he (Rahul Gandhi) feels that the government has wrongly banned the book, then the former Army Chief would have approached the court," Singh added.
In his unpublished memoir 'Four Stars of Destiny', former Army Chief Naravane mentions about the China clash. An essay on the book has appeared in a prominent magazine. Rahul Gandhi, holding a printout of the magazine, repeatedly attempted to raise the issue and discuss the book in Lok Sabha.
Backing the Opposition leader, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said, "The matter relating to China is very sensitive. LoP, Lok Sabha should be allowed to speak."
During Rahul Gandhi's speech, both the ruling and Opposition parties began creating a ruckus in the House. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also protested, refuting Rahul Gandhi's allegations.
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