Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the publisher of former Indian Army chief General MM Naravane’s memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ of lying and claimed that the book was available for sale.
Penguin Random House India had said that the book has not been published and no copy of it, printed or digital, has been published, distributed, sold or made available to the public.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi referred to General MM Naravane’s ‘X’ post of 2023 and also claimed that the memoir is available for sale online.
The Congress MP said, “What Mr Naravane did was, ‘Hello friends, my book is now available. Just click on the link. Enjoy reading, Jai Hind.’ Either they’re lying, which I don’t believe, or Penguin (the publisher) is lying. Both cannot tell the truth. Penguin says the book has not been published. But the book is available on Amazon. General Naravane had tweeted in 2023, ‘Please buy my book.'”
Rahul Gandhi said, “I trust Naravane ji more than the penguin. Do you trust the penguin more than Naravane ji? I believe that Naravane ji has made some statements in his book which are inconvenient for the Indian government and the Prime Minister. Obviously, you have to decide who is telling the truth, the penguin or the former army chief.”
On Monday, the publisher issued a statement regarding Has not been published, distributed, sold or made available to the public in any other medium.”
Penguin Random House India further said that any copy currently in circulation in any format or platform is a copyright infringement and should be immediately discontinued. The publisher said it will exercise all remedies available under the law against illegal and unauthorized circulation of the book.
X Post said, “Any copy of the book, whether complete or partial, printed, digital, PDF or in any other format, online or offline, in circulation on any platform, is an infringement of PRHI’s copyright and must be stopped immediately. Penguin Random House India will exercise the remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorized dissemination of the book.”
It further said, “This statement is being issued to place the publisher’s position on record.”
Meanwhile, Delhi Police has taken cognizance of information received on various social media platforms and news forums claiming that a pre-print copy of the book ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ is being circulated, and the Special Cell has registered a case in connection with “alleged leakage/infringement of yet-to-be-approved publication material”.
Delhi Police officials said that an investigation has been started into the claims of a pre-printed copy of the book being available.
Last week, a political controversy erupted after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the “unpublished book” of former Indian Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane during his speech in the Lok Sabha on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address.
The ruling party strongly opposed his statement. While passing the order, the Speaker directed the leader of the opposition not to quote from unpublished literature.