Parliament Set to Resume Amid Heated Row Over Rahul Gandhi's Naravane Book Remarks
Both Houses of Parliament are scheduled to continue the discussion on the motion of 'Thanks to the President's address' on Tuesday, following a day of significant political turmoil in the Lok Sabha. The uproar was triggered when Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to read excerpts from an unpublished memoir of former Army chief General M M Naravane concerning the 2020 India-China conflict, leading to heated exchanges and multiple adjournments.
Opposition Leader's Claims Spark Backlash from BJP
During the Budget Session of Parliament, Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He claimed that the government was "afraid" of a specific line from Naravane's book that he wished to quote, asserting it would reveal the truth about their handling of the 2020 border standoff with China. This provoked an immediate and strong backlash from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who accused Gandhi of misleading the House and undermining the dignity of Parliament.
BJP leaders, including several ministers, condemned Gandhi's actions, alleging he was belittling the armed forces and speaking the language of anti-India elements. They argued that his false accusations hurt the morale of Indian soldiers and defied the ruling of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who had disallowed the raising of the issue.
Speaker's Intervention and House Adjournments
Despite Speaker Om Birla's directive to not raise the matter, Rahul Gandhi did not relent, and several opposition leaders rallied behind him. This led to heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, resulting in the House being adjourned twice and later for the entire day amid chaos. The opposition's persistence highlighted the deepening political divide over national security issues.
Gandhi's Defense and Congress Support
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi defended his stance, stating he was quoting from an article that referenced Naravane's unpublished book. He claimed the book indicts PM Modi and Rajnath Singh for "letting down" the army during the 2020 conflict. "What happened to the 56-inch chest when China was before us and advancing?" Gandhi questioned, referring to a past statement by PM Modi.
The Congress party and its leaders supported Gandhi by sharing excerpts from a magazine article quoting Naravane's book on social media. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the government, saying, "What exactly is written in the former Army Chief's book that has the big-shot ministers of the Modi government so rattled? The entire country knows that the BJP's nationalism is fake!"
Government's Response and Counter-Allegations
Government sources dismissed Gandhi's claims as "concocted things" on China. They pointed to public domain material on decisions by India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, regarding China, alleging he "surrendered thousands of acres of land just to further his own statesmanship." This counter-allegation aimed to shift focus and defend the current administration's stance.
Opposition Unity and Broader Implications
Several opposition leaders, including TMC's Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, RJD's Manoj Jha, and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, backed Rahul Gandhi on the issue. This show of unity underscores the opposition's strategy to challenge the government on matters of national security and transparency. Gandhi later reiterated to reporters that he was not being allowed to speak on what he termed a "matter of national security," involving conversations between Naravane and top government officials.
Today's Parliamentary Agenda
As Parliament reconvenes, today's proceedings will begin with an obituary for Congress leader Surupsingh Hirya Naik, who passed away in December 2025. Following this, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and MP Kodikunnil Suresh will move the motion on the President's address. Additionally, MPs are scheduled to move motions for elections to key parliamentary committees, including:
- The Committee on Estimates
- The Committee on Public Accounts
- The Committee on Public Undertakings
- The Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
This agenda sets the stage for further discussions amidst the ongoing political tensions, highlighting the critical role of parliamentary proceedings in addressing national issues.
