Rahul Gandhi Cites Naravane Memoir, Targets PM Modi Over 2020 China Clash
NEW DELHI (TheTrendingPeople): Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, citing an unpublished “memoir” of former Army chief M M Naravane to allege that the government failed to take responsibility during the 2020 India-China standoff in Ladakh.
Speaking to reporters in the Parliament complex, Rahul displayed what he claimed was a copy of Naravane’s unpublished book and said young Indians should know about its existence despite repeated denials by the government.
‘Speaker Said the Book Doesn’t Exist’
Rahul alleged that the Speaker and senior ministers had denied the existence of the memoir.
“The Speaker has said this book does not exist. The government has said it does not exist. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said it does not exist. Every youngster in India should see that this book exists,” he said.
He added that Naravane had written a detailed account of the Ladakh crisis but he was not allowed to quote from it in the Lok Sabha.
Claims on Government’s Response
Citing the alleged contents of the memoir, Rahul claimed that Naravane had sought directions when Chinese tanks entered Indian territory.
“When General Naravane called Rajnath Singh and said Chinese tanks had come, he did not get a reply initially. He contacted S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, and the Defence Minister, but did not get clarity,” Rahul said.
He further alleged that there was a standing order not to open fire without political approval.
“The army wanted to respond, but there was an order from the top that no firing should happen without permission,” he claimed.
‘PM Passed Responsibility’
Rahul alleged that the Prime Minister avoided taking a clear stand during the crisis.
“Modi ji told Naravane, ‘jo uchit samjho woh karo’ (do what you think is right). This shows he did not fulfil his responsibility,” he said.
He also claimed that Naravane felt isolated during the episode.
“The Army chief has written that he felt alone and abandoned by the system,” Rahul said.
Parliament Disruptions Continue
The remarks come amid continued disruptions in Parliament over references to Naravane’s unpublished memoir. On Tuesday, eight Opposition MPs were suspended for the remainder of the Budget session following protests in the House.
Rahul has also written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, calling his disallowance from speaking a “blot on democracy” and alleging that the government was trying to suppress debate on national security.
Political Fallout
The standoff between the government and Opposition has intensified since Monday, with repeated adjournments disrupting legislative business. The ruling side has maintained that only verified and authenticated sources can be cited in Parliament.
Opposition leaders, however, argue that the restrictions are aimed at preventing scrutiny of the government’s handling of the China border crisis.
Our Thoughts
Rahul Gandhi’s renewed focus on the Naravane memoir has added a sharp political edge to the Budget session. By linking the unpublished account to questions of leadership and accountability, the Opposition is attempting to keep the Ladakh issue at the centre of parliamentary debate. Whether this leads to a structured discussion or further disruption will shape the course of the session.