Defence Minister Rajnath Singh intervened, asking Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to clarify that the memoir being cited had not yet been published.
“I want that LoP, Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, should present before the House the book he is quoting from, because the book he is referring to has not been published,” Singh said.
Rahul Gandhi maintained that his reference was credible, saying it was drawn from unpublished memoirs of former Army General Manoj Mukund Naravane. Questioning the government’s objections, he added, “What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on.”
Speaker Om Birla ruled against the Leader of Opposition (LoP), quoting from the unpublished story or even the magazine story that Gandhi reasoned he was citing the issue from.
Home Minister Amit Shah also objected to Gandhi’s address and alleged that the Congress leader was violating the rules of the House by continuing to speak on the issue even after the Speaker asked him not to.
Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju echoed the sentiment and said, “We should also discuss what should be done with a member who doesn’t obey the Speaker’s ruling in Lok Sabha.”
Congress leader KC Venugopal and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav supported Gandhi, saying, “China is a sensitive issue; if there is some suggestion in (the) country’s interest, the LoP should be allowed to read it,” Yadav said.
The government reasoned that the session was not scheduled to address any such issues and was a Motion of Thanks after President Droupadi Murmu’s address.
What is Rahul Gandhi’s Doklam concern?
The issue raised by the Congress MP is about General Naravane’s memoir Four Stars of Destiny, which is unpublished as of yet. The Caravan Magazine published a story detailing the Doklam incident, reporting that the Army Chief did not get any orders from the top authorities as Chinese military tanks approached India’s border.
The book reportedly details how Lieutenant General Yogesh Joshi received information that four Chinese tanks along with infantry were moving towards Rechin La in eastern Ladakh, and how Joshi reported the movement to Gen Naravane.
According to the story, the then COAS started dialling India’s political and military establishment, including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, and EAM S Jaishankar.
“To each and every one my question was, ‘What are my orders?'” Naravane reportedly wrote in the memoir. As per the existing protocols, Naravane had clear orders not to open fire “till cleared from the very top.”
“His superiors did not give any clear directive. Minutes ticked by. At 9:10 pm, Joshi called again. The Chinese tanks continued to advance and were now less than a kilometre from the pass. At 9:25 pm, Naravane called Rajnath again, asking “for clear directions.” None came,” the Caravan report said.
