The autobiography of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, titled ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, has triggered an unprecedented political upheaval in India. At the center of this storm is Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who brandished a hard copy of the book in Parliament, calling it a “document of truth.” While the Central Government and publisher Penguin India claim the book is “unpublished” and its distribution “illegal,” an old social media post by General Naravane himself has poked holes in their narrative.

The Mysterious Case of the ‘Available’ Book The controversy deepened when Penguin India stated that the book has not been officially released yet, pending clearance from the Ministry of Defence. However, a viral tweet from General Naravane dating back to 2023 shows him sharing an Amazon pre-order link with the caption: “Hello friends. My book is available now. Just follow the link. Happy reading. Jai Hind.” This post directly challenges the publisher’s current stance, leading many to wonder how a “non-existent” book was being promoted by its author years ago.

“I Trust Naravane, Not Penguin” – Rahul Gandhi Slamming the government’s attempts to suppress the book, Rahul Gandhi stated that the discrepancies suggest a cover-up. Speaking to the media, Gandhi said, “Either General Naravane is lying or Penguin is. I don’t think a former Army Chief would lie. He himself invited people to read it in 2023. I trust him over the publisher.” He further alleged that the government is suppressing the book because it contains “uncomfortable truths” regarding the India-China border standoff that could embarrass the Prime Minister.

Legal Threats and Political Fallout Amidst the fallout, Delhi Police has registered an FIR regarding the matter. Penguin India has threatened legal action for copyright infringement, but the political damage seems already done. With the opposition using the book as a weapon to question the government’s handling of national security, the mystery of the ‘hard copy’ in Parliament continues to fuel a high-stakes showdown between the BJP and the Congress.