Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, has ignited a political controversy by citing excerpts from the unreleased memoir of former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane to criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the 2020 India-China conflict. Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House complex on Wednesday, Gandhi claimed that Modi evaded responsibility during the crisis, passing the onus onto the then-Army Chief.

Gandhi held up a copy of Naravane's unpublished memoir, emphasizing its existence despite government denials. He stated that young people in India should be aware of the book, despite claims from the Speaker, the government, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh that it does not exist. Gandhi claimed the memoir contains a detailed account of the events in Ladakh.

According to Gandhi, he was informed that he could not quote from the memoir in the Lok Sabha. He then revealed what he claimed was the crux of the issue: Modi's alleged response to Naravane's concerns during the incursion: "'Jo uchit samjho woh karo' (do what you think is appropriate)". Gandhi said that when General Naravane contacted Rajnath Singh about Chinese tanks on the Kailash Ridge, he received no immediate response. He further claimed Naravane reached out to S. Jaishankar, Ajit Doval, and Rajnath Singh again, but still received no clear direction.

Gandhi further alleged that there was a standing order that Indian forces were not to fire upon Chinese forces without express permission from the top. He stated that Naravane and the army wished to fire on the tanks, as they had entered Indian territory. Gandhi argues that Modi's alleged response indicated a failure to fulfill his responsibility, essentially leaving the decision-making to the Army Chief without providing clear political guidance. He also said that Naravane felt abandoned by the entire establishment.

The issue of quoting from the memoir previously led to uproar and adjournment in the Lok Sabha. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh questioned the authenticity and publication status of the book, stating that it would be inappropriate to quote from it if it had not been published. Gandhi, however, insisted his reference was "100% authentic" and accused Singh of being agitated because his name was about to be mentioned.

Gandhi stated that the government is "scared" of the book's contents and is attempting to suppress its publication. He asserted the book reveals how the army was "let down" by the political leadership. He added that the Prime Minister was scheduled to deliver the customary Reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in parliament and that he would hand over the book to him if he came to the house. "I don't think the PM will have the guts to come to the Lok Sabha today," Gandhi said.

The unpublished memoir, titled "Four Stars of Destiny," reportedly details Naravane's experiences and perspectives on the Ladakh situation. The controversy surrounding the book and Gandhi's use of its excerpts has intensified the political discourse surrounding the 2020 India-China conflict and the Modi government's handling of the situation.