Lok Sabha breaks into a ruckus after Rahul Gandhi cites book on alleged China intrusion; House adjourned for the day

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha witnessed a tense atmosphere on Monday during the second week of the Budget session, after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from a magazine article carrying excerpts from the unpublished memoirs of former Army chief General MM Naravane (Retd) while raising a matter related to China.

The disruption followed a ruling by the Speaker that articles from magazines or newspapers cannot be quoted in the House, prompting objections from Treasury bench members and a sharp exchange between the Opposition and the government.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh questioned Gandhi’s reference, asking whether the book he was citing had been published. “Which published book is Rahul Gandhi quoting?” Singh asked, adding that he wanted to see the book himself. “I want to see the book that Rahul Gandhi is talking about,” the Defence Minister said, objecting to the use of unpublished material in parliamentary proceedings.


Read about the 'unpublished' book here: Four Stars of Destiny, the book quoted by Rahul Gandhi, created ruckus in Lok Sabha

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also objected to the LoP’s remarks, arguing that allegations based on an unpublished report or book should not be raised in the House.

Responding to the objections and the Speaker’s ruling, Gandhi defended his source and insisted on being allowed to read from it. “What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on,” the LoP said.

Gandhi asserted that the memoirs of the former Army chief were “100 percent authentic” and maintained that he was quoting from a published magazine story that carried excerpts from the unpublished work. He also said he wanted to respond to allegations made against the Congress party. “A young colleague made an allegation on the Congress party and our patriotism and understanding of Indian culture. I want to talk about it,” Gandhi told the House.

As the exchanges intensified, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav intervened, urging the Chair to allow the Leader of Opposition to speak. “The matter relating to China is very sensitive. The LoP, Lok Sabha should be allowed to speak,” Yadav said.

However, the government reiterated that parliamentary rules did not permit members to quote from magazine or newspaper articles. The Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister said, “The Speaker has given a ruling that articles from magazines or newspapers cannot be quoted in the House. Debate in the House should be held according to the laws.”

Despite repeated protests from the Opposition benches, the Speaker stood by the ruling, leading to continued sloganeering and disruptions in the House.

Chaos continued in the Lok Sabha on Monday as Rahul Gandhi, resumed his address after the House reconvened following an earlier adjournment triggered by disruptions.

Speaking after the Speaker restored order, Gandhi reiterated references to the unpublished memoirs of former Army Chief General Manoj Naravane, raising concerns over India’s defence preparedness.

He claimed that Chinese forces had approached with tanks, highlighting what he described as security challenges along the border.

The resumption of Gandhi’s speech came after the Speaker called the House back to order, following uproar and protests from Treasury benches over the earlier use of the memoir excerpts.

After the House resumed following two adjournments over Rahul Gandhi’s speech in the past hour, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were no longer present.

Rahul Gandhi said that the fact that ministers in the Narendra Modi government were not letting him speak showed that they were uncomfortable.

The House was adjourned for the day, after being adjourned twice due to the uproar over the issue earlier.