General Naravane’s Unreleased Autobiography Sparks Political Storm

New Delhi: Even before its release, the autobiography of former Indian Army Chief General M.M. Naravane, titled “Four Stars of Destiny”, has ignited a political firestorm in Parliament, drawing attention from the government, opposition, and the public alike.

Parliamentary Row Over Book Excerpts
The book, which remains unpublished, has already become a reference point in the Lok Sabha. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi sought to raise points based on the book, highlighting issues such as India’s stance during Operation Sindoor and the Agnipath scheme. However, the government argued that no claims should be made on the basis of an unreleased book. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey appeared in the House with several other books to counter the opposition’s references, turning the debate into a “battle of books.”

Delayed Approval and Controversy
Originally announced by Penguin in December 2023, “Four Stars of Destiny” was slated for release in January 2024. However, the book’s publication was halted due to pending clearance from the Ministry of Defence. Questions remain about when—or if—the Defence Ministry will grant approval, whether a timeline exists for review, and whether the author and publisher have been formally informed of the reasons for the delay.

How Rahul Gandhi Accessed the Book
The manner in which the opposition obtained the book also became a point of contention in Parliament. Rahul Gandhi, when asked how he acquired the text, merely responded, “You can guess.” It is believed that the book had reached the pre-order stage, but its release was blocked and pre-orders were subsequently canceled.

Unanswered Questions
With no statement yet from the author or publisher, it remains unclear whether the 432-page autobiography will ever reach readers, or if it will exist solely as a source of political debate. The controversy underscores the complex interplay between military publication approvals and parliamentary politics in India.