The controversy surrounding former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, has intensified with Penguin Random House issuing its second clarification within 24 hours. The publisher stated on Tuesday that a book is considered “published” only when it is available for purchase across all retail channels, countering LoP Rahul Gandhi’s allegations.

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations: Rahul Gandhi attacked the government and the publisher, stating that he trusts General Naravane over Penguin. He cited a 2023 tweet by the former Army Chief where he had shared a link to pre-order the book. Gandhi suggested that the book contains “uncomfortable truths” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government, leading to its suppression.

The Publisher’s Defense: Penguin clarified that announcements and pre-orders are standard industry practices and do not equate to the actual release of a book. They maintained that the memoir has not been published yet and is currently unavailable for final consumers. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has filed an FIR regarding the unauthorized circulation of excerpts from the unpublished book on social media, sparking further debate on censorship and national security.