Ex-Army Chief MM Naravane Speaks Out Amid Memoir Dispute, Highlights Publisher Note

New Delhi: Ex-Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday addressed the controversy surrounding his yet-to-be-published memoir, sharing a clarification issued by his publisher amid allegations of unauthorised circulation of the manuscript.

Taking to social media, General Naravane reposted the statement by Penguin Random House India, remarking, “This is the status of the book,” as the row over the memoir intensified in political circles.

The publisher asserted that it holds exclusive rights to Four Stars of Destiny and stressed that the book has not been released in any format. It said the clarification followed reports that unauthorised copies were in circulation.

According to the publisher, no print or digital version has been published, distributed, or sold, warning that any material currently being shared constitutes a copyright violation and must be halted immediately.

The issue has since spilled into Parliament and triggered a police probe. Delhi Police have registered an FIR and launched an investigation into the suspected illegal distribution of content from a publication that has not received final clearance.

The controversy escalated after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi displayed what he claimed was a copy of the memoir within the Parliament complex last week. He attempted to cite excerpts in the Lok Sabha from February 2 onward but was prevented from doing so on the grounds that the book had not been formally released.

Speaking again to reporters, Gandhi reiterated that the “unreleased memoir” contained details about the 2020 India–China military standoff in eastern Ladakh and argued that the public, particularly the youth, should be aware of it.

Authorities and publishing officials said investigations are ongoing to determine how the alleged copies entered circulation.