A contentious debate erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday, February 2, 2026, as Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi clashed with the government over the Doklam standoff and references to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. The session was marked by heated exchanges, interruptions, and accusations, leading to a temporary adjournment.
The core of the dispute revolved around Rahul Gandhi's attempt to cite excerpts from General Naravane's unpublished memoir while discussing the 2019 Doklam issue. Gandhi referenced a magazine report that quoted the memoir, highlighting a claim about Chinese tanks entering Indian territory. He asserted the authenticity of the memoirs, stating they were "100 percent authentic".
However, his remarks drew immediate and strong objections from senior government ministers. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah challenged the use of unpublished material in parliamentary proceedings. They argued that only formally released and authenticated information should be cited in the House. Singh specifically questioned whether the book had been published, stating firmly that it had not. Shah echoed this concern, questioning how Gandhi could quote from a book that was not yet available to the public.
Speaker of the House Om Birla sided with the government, asserting that parliamentary rules and conventions dictate that unverified materials like newspaper clippings or unpublished books should not be cited. He requested Gandhi to continue his speech without referencing the contested excerpt.
The government's objection was based on the principle that parliamentary records should be based on verifiable and public information. Citing unpublished works raises questions about authenticity and the potential for misinterpretation or selective use of information. The ministers insisted on using only published material, sparking protests from the Opposition.
Rahul Gandhi defended his use of the memoir excerpts, insisting that The Caravan magazine had published "100% genuine" excerpts. He argued that the information was relevant to the discussion on the Doklam issue and countered BJP's charge of "Congress not being patriotic". He further alleged that the BJP-led government was blocking the publication of General Naravane's book.
The incident occurred during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address to the joint session of Parliament. The government had allotted 18 hours for discussion on the President's address across February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The Speaker eventually adjourned the House until 3 pm following the heated exchanges.
The confrontation highlights the ongoing political tensions surrounding India-China relations and the sensitivity of information pertaining to border disputes. The incident also raises questions about the appropriate use of sources in parliamentary debates and the balance between freedom of speech and the need for verifiable information.