‘Unpublished Book Can’t Be Quoted’: BJP Blocks Rahul Gandhi in LS
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objects as LoP cites article on Gen MM Naravane’s Ladakh memoir; House adjourned
- Rahul Gandhi quotes magazine article on unpublished memoir by former Army chief
- Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and Kiren Rijiju object, citing House rules
- Akhilesh Yadav backs Rahul Gandhi, calls China issue sensitive
- Repeated disruptions force Speaker Om Birla to adjourn Lok Sabha
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd Jan: A sharp confrontation erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday after Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, attempted to quote from a magazine article based on an unpublished memoir by former Army chief M. M. Naravane on the 2020 India–China Ladakh standoff.
Holding up a printout of the article, Rahul Gandhi began referring to the contents of Naravane’s unpublished book Four Stars of Destiny, which discusses the eastern Ladakh crisis that began with clashes at Pangong Lake in May 2020. His remarks immediately drew objections from the treasury benches.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intervened, stating that quoting from an unpublished book was against the rules of the House. He demanded that the LoP place the book before Parliament, pointing out that it had not yet been officially released.
The objections were reinforced by Home Minister Amit Shah, who questioned how any member could cite material from a book that was not in the public domain. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju went a step further, suggesting that the House should consider action against members who do not comply with the Speaker’s rulings.
As Rahul Gandhi repeatedly referred to “Chinese tanks” during his speech, BJP members strongly protested, leading to frequent interruptions. Amid the uproar, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav came to the Congress leader’s defence, arguing that issues related to China were highly sensitive and that the LoP should be allowed to speak.
Responding to the objections, Rahul Gandhi asked what in the book was causing such concern and insisted that the article and the memoir he was citing were “100 per cent authentic.” He said he was compelled to raise the issue after BJP MP Tejasvi Surya allegedly questioned his and the Congress party’s patriotism.
Government sources later criticised the LoP’s conduct, alleging that quoting from unpublished material set a “dangerous precedent” and trivialised parliamentary proceedings. They accused Rahul Gandhi of spreading unverified information on the floor of the House.
The sustained commotion eventually forced Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the House till 3 pm, bringing the stormy session to a halt.
