New Delhi: Former Army chief Gen Manoj Naravane has come out with two books since his unpublished memoir, “Four Stars of Destiny”, caused a controversy earlier this year and looking back, he said it was “not warranted” to unnecessarily quote and drag him into the limelight for the book.
The general, who recently released “The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries”, said that he has moved on since then and has already written two books, and a third will soon be released.
“The Ministry of Defence had asked the publisher to put it on hold until it was vetted. As far as I am concerned, the matter rested there, and I have moved on; so that is a closed chapter. And unnecessarily quoting me and dragging the unpublished book into the limelight—and indirectly me into the limelight—was, I think, not warranted,” Naravane reportedly told PTI Videos in an interview.
In February this year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped from citing excerpts from the memoir in the Lok Sabha, as it had not yet been published. “Four Stars of Destiny” stirred a controversy when one of the chapters in the book about the 2020 India–China conflict seemed to suggest that the political leadership left the decision to counter the Chinese aggression completely to the armed forces.
The account of the standoff suggests Naravane urgently sought clear orders from the top leadership, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Ajit Doval, as Chinese forces advanced in eastern Ladakh. Despite the deteriorating situation and the readiness of the Indian Army to respond with artillery, he claims he did not receive explicit approval to open fire.
According to the article, the Defence Minister promised to call back after Naravane’s third call to him. Singh called back after speaking to the Prime Minister, whose instruction was merely “Jo uchit samjho, woh karo” (Do what you deem appropriate), leaving the decision to the military. This was to be “purely a military decision,” according to the article.
General Manoj Naravane, meanwhile, said he has already written two books and a third will soon be released. “The Curious and the Classified: Unearthing Military Myths and Mysteries”, his latest, published by Rupa Publications, explores some of the most riveting nuggets about the legends and lore of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
According to the article, the Defence Minister promised to call back after Naravane’s third call to him. Singh called back after speaking to the Prime Minister, whose instruction was merely “Jo uchit samjho, woh karo” (Do what you deem appropriate), leaving the decision to the military. This was to be “purely a military decision,” according to the article.
