The ongoing deadlock in the Budget Session of Parliament intensified on Tuesday, February 10, as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi took a bold stance in the General Naravane book controversy. Gandhi categorically stated, “I am confident that General Naravane is speaking the truth and Penguin (Publication) is lying.”

The Core Conflict: The controversy revolves around the memoir of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, titled ‘Four Stars of Destiny’. After excerpts of the book—allegedly containing critical observations on the Agnipath scheme and the LAC standoff—surfaced in a magazine, Penguin Publication reportedly claimed the book was never released. Rahul Gandhi has been questioning this discrepancy, suggesting government pressure is behind the stall.

Uproar in Parliament: Inside the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi attempted to raise specific points from the leaked excerpts, but he was stopped by the Speaker. This led to a massive outcry from the opposition benches, resulting in repeated adjournments of both houses. Gandhi’s assertion that “the truth belongs to the people” has turned the Naravane memoir into the most contentious political flashpoint of the current session.