Rahul Gandhi Challenges Rajnath Singh on Ex-Army Chief’s Ladakh Stand-Off Book

In a heated session of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, raised significant discussions concerning an unpublished memoir by former Army chief General MM Naravane. The memoir pertains to the Ladakh stand-off between India and China that began on May 5, 2020, following clashes in the Pangong Lake region.

Confrontation Over Unpublished Book

Gandhi held up a magazine article summarizing Naravane’s memoir, titled Four Stars Of Destiny. His attempt to quote from it sparked immediate backlash from BJP leaders, particularly Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Singh promptly objected, stating that referencing an unpublished book was against parliamentary protocol. Home Minister Amit Shah and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju joined in the critique, challenging Gandhi’s right to reference an unverified source.

Chaotic Scene in Parliament

As Gandhi persisted in discussing Naravane’s writings, he was met with a barrage of interjections. Rajnath Singh insisted that the Leader of Opposition should ensure the book is presented to the House before quoting it. In contrast, support emerged from Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who emphasized the sensitivity of issues related to China and insisted Gandhi be allowed to speak.

• Date of Stand-off: May 5, 2020
• Key Figures:
  • Rahul Gandhi (Congress)
  • Rajnath Singh (Defence Minister)
  • Amit Shah (Home Minister)
  • Kiren Rijiju (Parliamentary Affairs Minister)
• General Naravane’s Book: Four Stars Of Destiny (Unpublished)

Gandhi’s repeated mentions of “Chinese tanks” heightened tensions, leading to further interruptions. The opposition leader questioned why his quotes from the memoir provoked such fear among government members. He insisted the information from the article was “100% authentic” and expressed that he felt obligated to address previous accusations regarding his patriotism.

Aftermath of the Debate

The exchange escalated to a point where Speaker Om Birla was compelled to adjourn the Lok Sabha until 3 pm due to the chaos. Even after resuming, Gandhi faced continued resistance as he reiterated his stance on Naravane’s book. The BJP’s criticisms suggested that Gandhi’s methodology could lead to a dangerous precedent in how parliamentary discussions are conducted.

Priyanka Gandhi defended her brother, arguing that he was not attempting to undermine the military but was discussing insights from a respected former Army chief. Despite the uproar, the political discourse around the historical context of the stand-off in Ladakh remains a crucial topic in Indian politics.