New Delhi’s political corridors are buzzing as Rahul Gandhi, the Lok Sabha’s Leader of Opposition, ignited a fresh firestorm with a pointed taunt: ‘Penguin or Army Chief—who do we trust?’ This came amid unrelenting disruptions in Parliament over General MM Naravane’s memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny,’ which remains officially unpublished but at the heart of a bitter feud.
After Tuesday’s session collapse, Gandhi confronted reporters, alleging the book is purchasable on Amazon—a assertion Penguin categorically rejected. He highlighted Naravane’s own 2023 social media endorsement of the Galwan valley revelations from 2020, posting a direct link for readers.
‘Click it, read it. Jai Hind,’ Gandhi reiterated the general’s words, driving home the contradiction. The past week has seen repeated adjournments, with opposition MPs demanding discussion on the alleged disclosures, countered fiercely by the ruling BJP.
Monday’s drama—Gandhi brandishing the book outside Parliament—only fueled the blaze. ‘I’m solidly behind the former Army Chief,’ he declared, slamming the government’s reluctance to confront what he called ’embarrassing realities’ of the border clash.
Penguin’s rebuttal was unequivocal: No copies exist in print or digital, and publication rights are held but not exercised. Yet, Gandhi’s rhetoric has galvanized the opposition, framing the standoff as a battle against truth suppression.
With stakes involving military legacy and political accountability, this impasse threatens to derail the entire session. Observers note it reflects broader tensions over national security transparency in Modi’s India, where official narratives clash with insider accounts.