General Naravane's Memoir Ignites Political Debate in India

A memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, India's former Chief of Army Staff, has become a focal point of political debate within the Indian Parliament. The book, titled 'Four Stars of Destiny', has been discussed as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to use its content to scrutinise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration regarding their approach to China. However, the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has stated that since the book is not yet published, its content cannot be cited in parliamentary discussions.

General Naravane, who served in his position from December 2019 to April 2022, has spoken previously about the memoir, expressing frustration over the delay in its approval. He mentioned during an interview in 2025 that he had not initially intended to write a book but was encouraged to do so after attending a publication event for another military figure. He recalled that a representative from Penguin, the publishing house, suggested that it would be an honour to publish his memoir.

In a literary event in October 2025, General Naravane remarked on the satisfaction he derived from writing the book. However, he also expressed disappointment over the lengthy review process that unpublished volumes by former army officials often undergo to ensure that national security is not jeopardised.

This situation heightened when Rahul Gandhi brought forth an article from The Caravan magazine that included excerpts from the memoir. Despite General Naravane not disputing the content of the excerpts, Defence Minister Singh has claimed that the memoir is on hold due to inaccuracies, imploring why General Naravane has not pursued legal action if the contents are indeed correct.

During the parliamentary proceedings, Rahul Gandhi showcased a printed copy of the memoir, affirming its existence despite claims that it was not publically available. He indicated that the memoir mentioned a crucial conversation regarding a nervous moment when Chinese tanks were reportedly approaching Indian territory. According to Gandhi, this insinuated a lack of direct response from the government at a critical time.

The reference within the memoir to the phrase 'Jo uchit samjho, woh karo', meaning 'Do what you think is right', has drawn scrutiny regarding the Prime Minister's handling of military directives during border tensions with China. The Congress leader stated that such phrases indicated abdication of responsibility by Modi’s government.

Parliament has seen heated discussions and disruptions since February 2, when Gandhi attempted to discuss the book in relation to a Motion of Thanks for the Presidential Address amid the ongoing Budget Session. The defence minister and other members have insisted that it is against parliamentary rules to quote from unpublished works, labelling such references as detrimental to national interest.

Rajnath Singh asserted that the House wanted to see the book that Rahul Gandhi was claiming to reference. Meanwhile, sources confirm that the memoir, originally set for release in April 2024, remains unavailable for public consumption despite ongoing interest.

General Naravane's work reportedly addresses sensitive issues, including the Agnipath recruitment scheme and the Galwan clash in June 2020, which resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers. As scrutiny continues over the factors surrounding the delay in publication, the interplay between national security and the freedom of expression for military figures remains a polarising topic in Indian politics.