Special Correspondent
Parliament has once again been paralysed—not over economic distress or a national security failure, but over selective leaks and political interpretations attributed to an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The Congress-led Opposition’s decision to stall the Budget Session over unverified claims marks yet another low in its increasingly disruptive parliamentary conduct.
What makes the impasse even more troubling is the dangerous precedent now being set. If news reports are to be believed, the unpublished memoir—aptly titled Four Star General—is already circulating in PDF form. Who is behind this leak is becoming increasingly obvious, prompting the Delhi Police to take cognisance of the matter and reportedly swing into action against those circulating it across social media platforms and sections of the media.
Reports further suggest that the Opposition is even toying with invoking Article 94(c) to move a resolution against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla—an extraordinary step virtually unheard of in independent India—merely because the Chair refused to allow the House to descend into disorder. As a result, the Lok Sabha remains trapped in repeated adjournments, with legislative business sacrificed at the altar of political theatrics.
At the centre of this disruption lies a controversy that need not exist.
Claims attributed to an unpublished book by a former Chief of the Army Staff—leaked without authentication—have been weaponised to fuel outrage. No verified text is in the public domain. No official confirmation exists. Yet Parliament is being held hostage to speculation.
There is a straightforward constitutional and institutional solution.
Summon General Naravane. Let him confirm or deny. Put the matter to rest.
A formal statement by the former Army Chief—before Parliament or an appropriate forum—would immediately end conjecture. If the attributed remarks are false or taken out of context, the controversy collapses. If they are accurate, the government can respond transparently, place facts on record, and take action strictly as per established service rules.
General Manoj Mukund Naravane served as the 28th Chief of the Army Staff from December 2019 to April 2022, leading the Indian Army through two defining crises: the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Ladakh standoff with China. The Galwan clash, where 20 Indian soldiers were killed, remains the most challenging episode of his tenure.
Official military records show that tensions escalated after the PLA refused to dismantle structures at Patrolling Point-14. Under Naravane’s leadership, India shifted from passive defence to “offensive defence,” deploying troops and armour along the Kailash Range—forcing the PLA into a tactical stalemate. He later described June 16, 2020, as the saddest day of his career.
Naravane is also an academic soldier with a PhD and a published author of military fiction. That stature is precisely why unverified claims attributed to him cannot be left floating in the public domain.
If any retired officer violates publication norms or service regulations, the law provides remedies—including action related to pensionary benefits. But accountability must follow facts, not political noise.
What Parliament does not need is prolonged disruption. What the nation does not need is manufactured outrage. And what the armed forces do not deserve is being dragged into partisan warfare.
The choice before the Modi government is clear: summon General Naravane, establish the truth on record, and close the chapter—once and for all.
