Defence Ministry's Book Clearance Record: 35 Approved, Only General Naravane's Memoir Pending
In a revealing disclosure through a Right to Information (RTI) application, the Ministry of Defence's Army unit has reported that from 2020 to 2024, it reviewed and cleared 35 book manuscripts submitted by retired military personnel. However, a single title remains outstanding: the memoir of former Army Chief General M M Naravane, titled Four Stars of Destiny. This book has gained significant attention after being cited by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in his critiques of the government, highlighting a unique case in the ministry's approval process.
RTI Response Details Clearance Statistics
According to the RTI reply dated September 17, 2024, in response to a query filed by The Indian Express in January of that year, only three manuscripts were listed as not yet cleared initially. Among these, two have since progressed: Leadership Beyond Barracks by Brigadier Jeewan Rajpurohit (retd) is now under process, and Alone in the Ring by General N C Vij (retd), former Chief of Army Staff, was released in May 2025. This leaves General Naravane's memoir as the sole work still in limbo, with neither the Ministry of Defence nor the publisher, Penguin Random House, providing updates on its current status.
Surge in Publication Requests from Retired Personnel
The data indicates a notable increase in manuscripts submitted for clearance over the years. In 2020, only one manuscript was sent for review, followed by none in 2021, and four in 2022. The numbers rose sharply to 16 in 2023, including General Naravane's submission, and reached 14 by September 2024. This trend reflects a growing interest among retired military figures in publishing their experiences and insights.
List of Recently Cleared Books
Among the authors whose works have been approved are several high-ranking officers, including:
- Lt General S A Hasnain
- Lt General S K Gadeock
- Lt General S R R Aiyengar
- Major General (Dr) Ashok Kumar
- Major General Sashikant Pitre
- Major General R K Sharma
- Major General G D Bakshi
- Lt General Yogesh Kumar Joshi
This clearance process underscores the ministry's role in vetting publications by former defense personnel to ensure compliance with security protocols.
Political Context and Government Response
General Naravane served as Army Chief from 2019 to 2022, a period marked by heightened tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, including the 2020 Galwan clash. His memoir, excerpts of which were published by Press Trust of India in December 2023, details critical conversations with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and describes handling a "hot potato" decision regarding Chinese advancements in Eastern Ladakh. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that the government holds "a great deal of respect" for General Naravane, accusing the Opposition of attempting to "mock" him through references to the book.
Implications and Ongoing Developments
The pending status of General Naravane's memoir has sparked discussions about transparency and potential political influences in the clearance process. As the only book remaining unapproved among dozens, it raises questions about the criteria and timelines used by the Defence Ministry. With no official updates forthcoming, stakeholders await further developments, highlighting the intersection of military affairs, publishing, and political discourse in India.
