‘Book has not gone into publishing’: Penguin Random House fact-checks Rahul Gandhi’s claim on Naravane memoir

Penguin Random House India has issued a formal clarification stating that it holds the exclusive publishing rights to Four Stars of Destiny, the memoir of former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, and that the book has not yet been published in any form. The statement comes amid a political controversy triggered by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who carried what he claimed was a copy of the memoir into Parliament and sought to cite from it.

In its statement issued on Monday, the publishing house said it wanted to place its position on record following reports that copies of the manuscript were circulating in digital and other formats.

“Penguin Random House India would like to clarify that we hold the sole publishing rights for the book Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army. We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication,” the company said.

The publisher added that no copies of the book “in print or digital form” have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public. It warned that any version currently in circulation, whether complete or partial, in any format, would constitute copyright infringement.

“Any copies of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, whether in print, digital, PDF, or any other format, online or offline, on any platform, constitute an infringement of PRHI’s copyright and must immediately be ceased,” the statement said, adding that legal remedies would be pursued against unauthorised distribution.

The clarification follows the registration of an FIR by Delhi Police, which has assigned the matter to its Special Cell. Police officials said the investigation is focused on the suspected illegal circulation or leak of material from a publication that has not yet been approved for release.

The issue spilt into Parliament last week after Rahul Gandhi was seen holding up what he described as a copy of the “unreleased memoir” within the Parliament complex. Gandhi had sought to cite excerpts from the book in the Lok Sabha from February 2 onwards, but was disallowed because the book had not been formally published.

Speaking to reporters, Gandhi said, “The Speaker has said this book does not exist, the government has said it does not exist, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ji has said this book does not exist. Every youngster in India should see this book exists,” while holding up what he claimed was a copy. He also said the former Army chief had written a detailed account of events during the 2020 India-China standoff in Ladakh and that he was being prevented from quoting it in the House.

The dispute escalated on Tuesday when eight MPs, seven from the Congress and one from the CPI(M), were suspended for the remainder of the Budget session for what was termed “unruly behaviour” after Gandhi was disallowed for a second consecutive day from quoting material linked to the unpublished memoir.

Earlier today, Mr Gandhi doubled down on his claim, stating that either Mr Naravane is lying or it is Penguin that is lying.

“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 that is lying. I don’t think the former Army chief will lie,” Gandhi said. He added, “Penguin says the book has not been published. But the book is available on Amazon. Gen. Naravane has tweeted, ‘Please buy my book in 2023.’ I believe Naravane ji over Penguin. Do you believe Penguin over Naravane ji?”

Gandhi further alleged that the memoir contains statements “which are inconvenient for the Government of India and the Prime Minister of India,” and said, “Obviously, you have to decide if Penguin or the former Army chief is telling the truth.”

Written by OpIndia Staff
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