New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised doubts over conflicting claims surrounding the memoir of former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, saying that either the retired officer or the publisher could be misleading the public about the book’s status. The controversy has intensified after reports emerged about the alleged circulation of unauthorised copies of the manuscript titled Four Stars of Destiny.
Referring to a social media post made by Naravane in 2023, Rahul Gandhi pointed out that the former Army chief had announced the availability of his book and shared a purchase link. According to the Congress leader, this contradicts the publisher’s recent statement that the memoir has never been released in any format. He argued that both claims cannot be correct at the same time and questioned why the book appeared on online platforms if it was never published.
The disputed post had included a pre order link, but within two days the publisher withdrew the listing and the book disappeared from e commerce websites. Since then, confusion has continued over whether any version of the memoir was officially printed or distributed.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered a case following allegations that a digital version of the manuscript was being shared illegally. Authorities said they were examining how material from a book that had not received final approval found its way into the public domain. Investigators are also looking into reports that certain websites displayed the cover and details of the memoir as if it were available for sale.
The publisher issued a detailed clarification stating that it holds exclusive rights to the memoir and that no copies, either printed or electronic, have been released. It warned that any version currently circulating amounts to copyright violation and must be withdrawn immediately. The company also indicated that it would pursue legal action against those involved in unauthorised distribution.
The issue created a major political storm after Rahul Gandhi attempted to cite passages from what he described as a pre print copy during a parliamentary debate. The move drew strong protests and led to repeated disruptions in the House. The confrontation eventually resulted in the suspension of several opposition members and pushed the memoir into the centre of a national controversy.
As the investigation continues, questions remain over how an unpublished work became accessible and whether conflicting statements from different sides will be reconciled.
