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Rajnath Singh countered Rahul Gandhi, saying he cannot quote from the “unpublished” book and asked him to authenticate it before the House.
During his reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi began his speech by quoting a magazine report based on Naravane’s memoir.
The Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed fiery scenes as Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh countered Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over the purported memoir of former Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane on a stand-off on the China border.
During his reply to the motion of thanks on the President’s address in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi began his speech by quoting a magazine report based on Naravane’s memoir. The article began with a purported incident in 2020.
Rahul Gandhi, in his speech, mentioned Doklam. “Four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory. They were taking a ridge in Doklam. And the Army chief writes the tanks were within a few hundred meters of the Kailash Range,” the Opposition leader said, sparking a big debate both in Parliament and on social media, where a section of users wondered whether the Congress leader was referring to Galwan.
Doklam, at the tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan, is the site of an India-China standoff in 2017. And in 2020, eastern Ladakh’s Galwan became the site of a deadly clash between the two sides, with 20 Indian soldiers confirmed dead in a dangerous escalation.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi in Parliament, Defence minister Rajnath Singh stood up and interjected him, saying he cannot quote from an “unpublished” book and asked him to authenticate it before the House.
“He should not be allowed to speak on this…I want the LoP, Lok Sabha (Rahul Gandhi), to present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published,” Singh said.
Home minister Amit Shah too interjected Gandhi and sought to know whether the book had been published. “How do you know all this information if this book has not been published?” he asked.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav came to Rahul Gandhi’s defence, saying the issue was extremely sensitive.
“Lohiya, Netaji and George Fernandes have all warned us about China. The matter relating to China is very sensitive. The LoP, Lok Sabha, should be allowed to speak,” he said.
Amid a fiery showdown, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged Gandhi to follow the Speaker’s ruling.
As the ruckus continued, Speaker Om Birla ruled that the Leader of Opposition should speak only on the President’s address and not quote from the “unpublished” memoir. Birla also read out the rules, saying that nothing from a book or newspaper that has no relevance to the discussion of the session can be read out.
“As Leader of the Opposition, you are making allegations in the House and not following the rules. This is not appropriate,” he said.
In response, Rahul Gandhi said, “You please tell me what I should speak, Speaker sir.”
Om Birla replied, “I am not your advisor, but as the Speaker, it is my duty to ensure that the House functions as per the rules and discussion is limited to the subject listed.”
The Speaker told Rahul Gandhi not to insult the chair or go against its ruling.
“You have no right to insult the decision of the chair… If you have decided not to speak, then it’s ok,” Birla said.
The Speaker then announced that the next speaker would be Akhilesh Yadav, who would speak on the President’s address. The Speaker later adjourned the House till 3 PM amid the ruckus.
In his defence, Rahul Gandhi said that BJP MP Tejasvi Surya labelled the entire opposition and the Congress party “anti-national” in his speech and he just want the set the record straight in the House.
” The Defence Minister, Home Minister and the Prime Minister raise questions on our party, party leaders, and our nationalism. This article writes about the PM’s character…This is neither about China, nor the PM,” the LoP said.
Shah responded to Rahul Gandhi and said, “Tejasvi Surya (BJP MP) in his speech has not raised any questions on the Opposition’s character or their patriotism…”
After the House resumed proceedings at 3 PM, Rahul Gandhi then referred to the clash in Galwan Valley. However, the Speaker asked him to stick to the President’s address.
Rahul Gandhi replied, “This is a matter of national security.”
The Speaker then adjourned the proceedings till 4 PM.
After the House reassembled at 4 PM, Rahul Gandhi stood up again for his speech but did not change the tone despite directions from the Speaker’s chair, forcing the Lok Sabha to be adjourned for the day.
February 02, 2026, 13:43 IST
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