Former Army Chief Clarifies Controversy Surrounding Memoir Release

General Manoj Mukund Naravane, the former Chief of Army Staff, recently addressed the ongoing dispute regarding his memoir, "Four Stars of Destiny." On Tuesday, he shared a post from Penguin Random House India on the social media platform X, stating, "This is the status." Naravane's post supported the publisher's assertion that the memoir had not been published and that there were no authorised copies in circulation.

The controversy first emerged when social media circulated a purported copy of the book, which prompted inquiries. Penguin Random House India issued an official statement clarifying that they retain exclusive publishing rights to "Four Stars of Destiny" and that the book has not been put into circulation. The publisher emphasised that no copies, whether in print or digital formats, have been sold or made available to the public. In light of this situation, the publisher warned that any unauthorised distribution of the book would be considered a violation of copyright laws, and it would take legal action against such instances.

Simultaneously, the Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the alleged dissemination of the unpublished manuscript via social media. This police action followed reports from India Today Digital, which raised concerns over how unpublished content had surfaced, particularly in the context of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi displaying a purported version of the memoir in the Parliament complex. This incident caused a stir during sessions in the Lok Sabha, leading to the suspension of eight Members of Parliament.

In an earlier statement, the Delhi Police indicated that they were aware of claims involving a pre-print copy of "Four Stars of Destiny" being circulated unlawfully. Further investigation revealed that a typeset PDF of the book was available on various websites, while certain online sellers had showcased the book cover as if it were ready for sale.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed that the necessary clearance for the book's publication, which is mandated by the Ministry of Defence, had not been obtained. In the wake of this controversy, Rahul Gandhi commented that Prime Minister Narendra Modi avoided discussing the matter in the Lok Sabha out of apprehension related to the issue.

Penguin Random House India released a further statement to clarify the criteria for a book's publication, reiterating that it is only considered published when it is formally released and accessible for purchase through retail channels. They expressed a commitment to transparency and clarity in their publishing processes.

As the investigation continues, the situation around "Four Stars of Destiny" remains unresolved, reflecting the broader political tensions and concerns over the handling of sensitive materials by public figures.