Budget Session 2026: General Naravane Book Controversy Dominates Parliamentary Proceedings
The fifth day of the Parliament Budget Session 2026 witnessed significant disruptions in the Lok Sabha, with the political firestorm over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi's reference to former Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane's unpublished memoirs taking center stage. The controversy erupted on Monday when Gandhi sought to quote from the retired general's writings regarding the 2020 India-China border standoff, triggering immediate objections from senior ministers and leading to repeated adjournments.
Congress Accuses Government of Silencing Opposition
The Congress party launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, alleging a deliberate attempt to prevent Rahul Gandhi from speaking about matters of national security in the Lok Sabha. Party representatives claimed the government feared exposure of what they termed as "incompetence" in handling the border situation after Gandhi attempted to reference General Naravane's memoir. This accusation set the tone for a day marked by heated exchanges and procedural wrangling.
Parliamentary Rules Invoked Amidst Growing Tensions
Senior ministers including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, and Kiren Rijiju strongly objected to Gandhi reading from the unreleased book, citing House rules and parliamentary norms. Speaker Om Birla intervened by invoking Rule 349(i) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, directing Gandhi not to quote from what was described as a purported extract of the unpublished memoir. This ruling further escalated the already tense atmosphere in the parliamentary chamber.
Cross-Accusations and Social Media Escalation
The parliamentary confrontation quickly spilled over into public discourse, with Rahul Gandhi questioning why the government appeared "scared" of the discussion, while Kiren Rijiju countered by accusing the opposition leader of repeatedly violating parliamentary norms. Later in the day, several Congress Members of Parliament took to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to share images of magazine articles containing the disputed passages, attempting to bring the quoted material into public view through alternative channels.
Broader Implications for Parliamentary Functioning
This controversy has raised significant questions about parliamentary decorum, the boundaries of discussion on national security matters, and the appropriate use of unpublished materials during legislative proceedings. The timing during the crucial Budget Session adds another layer of complexity, as important financial legislation competes for attention with this politically charged dispute. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition regarding transparency and accountability in matters of defense and foreign policy.
As the Budget Session continues, all eyes remain on how this controversy will evolve and whether it will impact the legislative agenda. The government's handling of the situation and the opposition's persistence in raising what they consider critical national security questions suggest this issue may have lasting repercussions beyond the current parliamentary session.
