Storms continue to erupt over General (Retd.) MM Naravane’s unpublished book, with Congress MP Rahul Gandhi questioning the claims of the publisher, Penguin.
“Either Mr Naravane is lying or it is Penguin, which is lying. I don’t think the former Army chief will lie,” Rahul Gandhi was quoted as saying.
He referred to a 2023 tweet by Naravane promoting his book, Four Stars of Destiny. “Here is a tweet from Mr Naravane which says, ‘just follow the link to my book’. The point I am making is either Mr Naravane is lying or it is Penguin, which is lying. I don’t think the former Army chief will lie. Penguin says the book has not been published. But the book is available on Amazon…I believe Naravane ji over Penguin. Do you believe Penguin over Naravane ji? I believe Naravane ji has made certain statements in his book which are inconvenient for the Government of India and the Prime Minister of India. Obviously, you have to decide if Penguin or the former Army chief is telling the truth,” he added.
Penguin has denied publishing the memoir in any form. The publisher said any circulating versions, print or digital, would be a copyright violation. “We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication. No copies of the book – in print or digital form – have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India,” the statement read.
The publisher also warned it would take legal action against those responsible for the unauthorised distribution.
Delhi Police have registered a case over the alleged circulation of an unauthorised copy on social media and online platforms. Investigators reported that a PDF of a typeset version, apparently prepared by the publisher, was found online. Some platforms also displayed the book cover as if it were available for sale.
The controversy began last week during the post-Budget session of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi quoted a magazine article based on Naravane’s unpublished memoir. The brief intervention, under five minutes, triggered a major showdown.
Also Read: Penguin Says Naravane Memoir Not Yet Published Amid Leak Row https://www.vibesofindia.com/penguin-says-naravane-memoir-not-yet-published-amid-leak-row/
