New Delhi [India], February 11 (HBTV): Former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane on Tuesday confirmed that his memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, has not yet been published, backing a statement issued by Penguin Random House India.
Sharing a post on X, Gen Naravane wrote, 'This is the status of the book.'
The clarification comes after Penguin Random House India issued a fresh statement earlier in the day in response to allegations by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The publisher said the book was announced and listed for pre-order but has not entered publication, distribution, or sale. It added that any circulating copies are unauthorised and constitute copyright infringement.
'A book is considered published only when it is available for purchase across retail channels,' the publisher said in a statement posted on its social media platforms. 'Pre-order is a standard publishing practice. It allows readers and retailers to place advance orders. The book is not yet published or available.'
The publisher further stated, 'An announced book, a book available for pre-order, and a published book are not the same thing,' adding that it remains 'committed to clarity and transparency in the books we publish.'
The controversy began after Rahul Gandhi quoted excerpts from the book in Parliament, claiming it was available and citing a 2023 social media post by Naravane.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament earlier on Tuesday, Gandhi referred to General M.M. Naravane’s 2023 X post and claimed the memoir was available for sale online.
'Hello friends, my book is available now. Just follow the link. Happy Reading, Jai Hind. This is the tweet Mr Naravane made. Either he is lying, which I do not believe, or the Penguin (publisher) is lying. Both cannot be telling the truth. 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? I believe Naravane ji has made certain statements in his book which are inconvenient for the Government of India and the Prime Minister. Obviously, you have to decide if Penguin or the former Army chief is telling the truth,' the Congress MP said.
Late on Monday night, the publisher issued another statement clarifying that it holds the sole publishing rights for Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army.
It said the book has not yet gone into production and that no copies, in print or digital form, have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India.
The publisher stated that any copies 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 its copyright and must immediately cease. It added that it will exercise remedies available under law against the alleged illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book.
'This statement is being issued to place the publisher's position on record,' it said.
Earlier, a political row erupted after Rahul Gandhi sought to quote from the 'pre-print book' of Naravane’s memoir during his speech in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address last week. Members of the treasury benches opposed his remarks, and the Speaker ruled that the Leader of the Opposition should not quote unpublished literature.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police Special Cell has registered an FIR to investigate the alleged leak and circulation of the manuscript, pending Ministry of Defence clearance.
(ANI)