Lok Sabha Resumes After Naravane Memoir Row: What Triggered the Ruckus

After a day of repeated disruptions and heated exchanges over former Army chief MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, the Lok Sabha is set to resume proceedings on Tuesday, with attention focused on how the House will function amid continuing political tensions and the backdrop of the newly announced India–US trade deal.

The Lower House witnessed chaotic scenes on Monday after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi referred to Naravane’s unpublished book while speaking on the 2020 India–China conflict.

The remarks triggered strong objections from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who argued that only officially published material could be cited in Parliament. As a result, proceedings were suspended multiple times before the House was adjourned for the day.

The Naravane Memoir Row

The controversy began when Gandhi attempted to quote from what he described as Naravane’s memoir to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh over the handling of the 2020 border standoff with China.

BJP leaders accused Gandhi of misleading the House and undermining the armed forces. They claimed his remarks hurt the sentiments of soldiers and violated parliamentary norms.

Gandhi, in turn, alleged that the government was “afraid” of the contents of the book and said he would raise the issue in the Rajya Sabha.

Speaker Om Birla did not permit Gandhi to continue, citing parliamentary rules. The House was adjourned several times amid shouting matches between treasury and opposition benches.

What Happened in the House

As Gandhi rose to speak on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he sought to respond to comments on nationalism made by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. He then began referring to Naravane’s memoir.

Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah objected and asked whether the book had been formally published. The Speaker repeatedly ruled that unpublished books or newspaper clippings unrelated to House business could not be quoted.

The standoff lasted nearly 50 minutes, with Gandhi insisting that the material was authenticated and BJP leaders demanding adherence to the Speaker’s ruling.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju warned that continued defiance of the Speaker’s direction could invite disciplinary action.

Government sources later accused Gandhi of reading out “concocted” material on China and said ample public information existed about past decisions on the issue.

Rahul Gandhi’s Response

When the House reassembled later in the day, Gandhi said he was raising a matter of national security and accused the government of blocking him because the book allegedly criticised the prime minister and defence minister.

“I consider national security the most important issue. If it was not uncomfortable, they would have let me speak,” Gandhi said.

He claimed the contents of Naravane’s book, which he said had appeared in a media article, exposed the government’s handling of the China standoff.

“What happened to the 56-inch chest when China was before us and advancing?” he asked.

Opposition Backs Gandhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge supported Gandhi, questioning on social media why the government appeared unsettled by the former Army chief’s book.

“What exactly is written in the former Army Chief’s book that has rattled the ministers?” Kharge wrote, alleging that the BJP’s nationalism was “fake”.

Focus on Today’s Proceedings

With Parliament set to resume on Tuesday, attention will be on whether the government and opposition can move past the standoff and conduct business smoothly, particularly in light of recent developments such as the India–US trade agreement.

No official details of Naravane’s unpublished memoir have been released so far.