Rahul Gandhi Cites Former Army Chief's Book, Attacks Government Over China Border Issue

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Union Government regarding the border situation with China. During the parliamentary session, Gandhi referred to the unpublished memoir of former Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane and related media reports. His remarks triggered a massive uproar in the House, prompting interventions from Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah. Due to the continuous disruption, the Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned until Tuesday.

Speaking to the media outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi clarified his stance, stating that the matter pertains to national security. He emphasized that he was merely quoting what the former Army Chief has written in his book and what has been highlighted in recent articles. Gandhi alleged that the government is apprehensive about the revelations in the memoir and is attempting to prevent the truth from reaching the public. He questioned why the administration is intimidated by the perspective of a former military head.

Allegations Regarding National Security and Military Leadership

Rahul Gandhi specifically mentioned General MM Naravane's book, asserting that his statements in the House were based on the General's accounts. He argued that the insights of a former Army Chief are crucial for the nation to understand the dynamics of the border standoff. According to Gandhi, the government's resistance to discussing these points suggests a lack of transparency, while he stated that the country could learn significant lessons from the military's perspective on how the situation was handled on the ground.

Parliamentary Uproar and Government's Counter-Response

The mention of the China border issue and the former Army Chief's book led to a heated exchange between the treasury and opposition benches. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh strongly objected to Gandhi's remarks, stating that sensitive matters of national security shouldn't be politicized with unverified claims, while home Minister Amit Shah also intervened, dismissing the allegations as baseless. The ensuing chaos and sloganeering by opposition members made it impossible for the House to function, leading to its adjournment.

Critique of Political Decision-Making During Border Tensions

In his interaction with journalists, Rahul Gandhi directed his criticism toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, while he alleged that the political leadership failed the Indian Army during the period when Chinese troops were positioned at the border. Gandhi claimed that the Prime Minister avoided taking decisive actions and instead shifted the burden of decision-making onto others. He questioned the government's '56-inch chest' rhetoric, asking what happened to that resolve when China was reportedly advancing.

The Controversy Surrounding General Naravane’s Unpublished Memoir

A significant part of Gandhi's argument focused on the delay in the publication of General Naravane's book. He alleged that the government is intentionally blocking the release because it contains facts that might contradict the official narrative. Gandhi maintained that a national leader must provide clear direction and not shy away from tough decisions. He insisted that the truth regarding whether land was occupied or not needs to be addressed, but the primary issue remains the leadership's response during the crisis.

Analysis and Broader Implications

According to political analysts, the confrontation in Parliament reflects the deepening divide between the government and the opposition on matters of defense policy, while while the opposition demands greater transparency and a full discussion on the LAC situation, the government maintains that such discussions could compromise strategic interests. Military experts suggest that while memoirs of former officials often provide historical context, they can become flashpoints in a polarized political environment, while the standoff in Parliament is expected to continue as the opposition seeks more answers on the border issue.

#WATCH | Delhi: Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi says, "This is not me, this is what the Army Chief (former) has written in a book. The book is not being allowed to be published. It is languishing, and this is the Army Chief's perspective. Why are they so scared of the… pic.twitter.com/GnWYRAPYIA

— ANI (@ANI) February 2, 2026