Kiren Rijiju Defends Secrecy of 1962 War Report, Parliament Gripped by Political Storm
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday reignited a long-running national debate by stating that the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report on the 1962 India-China war has remained classified for over six decades. His remarks came amid escalating political tensions in Parliament, triggered by repeated disruptions over national security and unpublished military documents.
In a post on X, Rijiju said that the report, which reviewed India’s defeat in the 1962 war, has been confidential since its submission and continues to be treated as a sensitive defence document.
“Our government is led by a mature leader. Since 1962, the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report has remained secret. It indicted the Nehru government for the humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chinese PLA. Our government has never declassified it as defence matters cannot be used as political tools,” Rijiju wrote.
He also reshared an earlier post from November 2024 highlighting India’s improved border infrastructure after visiting Bumla in Arunachal Pradesh during Diwali with Army personnel.
The remarks come at a time when parliamentary proceedings have been repeatedly stalled over national security-related debates.
The controversy is rooted in the status of the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat Commission report, prepared by Lieutenant General Henderson Brooks and Brigadier General Premindra Singh Bhagat. The panel was commissioned by former Army Chief J. N. Chaudhuri to examine operational failures during the 1962 war with the People's Liberation Army.
Despite repeated demands over the years, successive governments have kept the report classified, citing national security concerns.
The issue resurfaced this week after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief M. M. Naravane during the Motion of Thanks debate in the Lok Sabha.
Gandhi’s references to sensitive military matters were repeatedly interrupted by treasury bench members. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh challenged him to present the book, stating, “The book he is referring to has not been published.”
Home Minister Amit Shah also accused Gandhi of misleading the House.
The situation worsened when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he had advised the Prime Minister to avoid attending the session due to intelligence inputs on possible protests. For the first time in 22 years, the Motion of Thanks was passed without the Prime Minister’s reply.
The Opposition accused the government of suppressing debate on national security and shielding historical failures from public scrutiny. A senior Congress leader said, “The people have a right to know what went wrong in 1962 and what lessons were learned.”
Rahul Gandhi later displayed a copy of Naravane’s unpublished memoir to reporters, claiming that government leaders were wrong to say the book did not exist.
On the other hand, BJP leaders defended the government’s stance. Rijiju and other ministers argued that sensitive military assessments and unpublished documents cannot be debated freely without risking institutional credibility.
Eight Congress MPs were suspended for disorderly conduct following protests in the House, further deepening the political divide.
Security experts also weighed in, cautioning against selective disclosure of classified material. “Historical accountability is important, but defence documents require careful handling,” a former military officer said.
The standoff has significantly disrupted parliamentary functioning. Multiple sessions were adjourned, and key legislative business was delayed. The prolonged deadlock has raised concerns about the declining quality of debate in India’s highest legislative forum.
Politically, the issue has revived old arguments about former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s handling of the 1962 war and the long shadow it continues to cast over India-China relations.
The controversy also connects to more recent events, including the 2020 Galwan Valley clash in Ladakh, which marked the first deadly confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops since 1975. These developments have kept border security at the centre of national discourse.
Naravane’s memoir, reportedly containing sensitive operational details, has been delayed since 2024, reinforcing official concerns over public disclosure.
For the government, Rijiju’s statement signals continuity in policy: defence-related reports will remain confidential unless there is a strong national consensus on disclosure.
For the Opposition, the episode has become a rallying point to question transparency and democratic accountability.
Kiren Rijiju’s defence of the secrecy surrounding the Henderson Brooks-Bhagat report has brought historical wounds and present-day politics into sharp focus. What began as a debate over an unpublished memoir has escalated into a broader confrontation over transparency, national security, and parliamentary norms.
As disruptions continue, Parliament’s ability to address pressing economic and social issues remains constrained. The episode underscores the fragile balance between openness and confidentiality in matters of defence and governance.
Our Final Thoughts
The renewed debate over the 1962 war report highlights India’s unresolved struggle between historical accountability and strategic caution. While safeguarding national security is essential, sustained disruptions weaken democratic institutions. Moving forward, constructive dialogue—rather than confrontation—will be crucial to restoring Parliament’s credibility and ensuring that sensitive issues are handled with both responsibility and transparency.