The Lok Sabha proceedings during the Budget Session of Parliament descended into chaos on Monday as soon as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi began to speak on the motion of thanks on the President’s Address. Rahul claimed that Chinese tanks entered Indian territory in Ladakh during the 2020 conflict, quoting an article on former Army Chief General M M Naravane’s unpublished memoir.
As Rahul tried to cite excerpts from former Army Chief General Naravane’s unpublished memoir – Four Stars of Destiny – BJP leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, started objecting, questioning the authenticity of the book.
Referring to an allegation made by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya against the Congress, apparently questioning the patriotism and national culture of the party, Rahul said, “A young colleague over there made an allegation against the Congress Party. I was not going to raise this issue, but because he has raised the issue about our patriotism, our understanding of Indian culture, I’d like to start by reading something. And this is from the memoir of Army Chief Naravane. And I’d like you to listen carefully. You will understand exactly who is patriotic, who is not.”
The Leader of the Opposition in the House said that “four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory” and attempting to take control of a ridge. “The Army Chief writes, and I quote from an article that is quoting his book,” he added.
“This is from the memoir of Army Chief Naravane. And I’d like you to listen carefully. You will understand exactly who is patriotic and who is not. It will take a little while, so this is about when four Chinese tanks were entering Indian territory. They were taking a ridge in Doklam. And the Army Chief writes, and I quote from an article that is quoting his book,” Gandhi continued.
However, Rajnath Singh objected to this and told the Speaker that the unpublished book cannot be quoted in the House. “Speak about these things only if they are published. Otherwise, leave it,” Rajnath Singh said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla then asked Rahul Gandhi to table the book in the House, saying that unpublished material could not be read out in the House and denied permission to proceed with the reading.
Rahul responded, saying, “This is 100 per cent authentic.” Rajnath Singh asked him to tell the House whether the memoir has been published or not. Om Birla said Rajnath Singh is correct and that Rahul should tell the House if the book he is trying to cite is published or not.
“Narvane ki book me Raksha Mantri aur Pradhan Mantri ka zikr hai. Main wahi bata raha hoon. (Narvane’s book mentions both the Defence Minister and Prime Minister. I am telling only that),” Rahul replied.
Rajnath Singh said that the book Rahul Gandhi is mentioning has not been published. Amit Shah also joined Rajnath Singh and said that it is a magazine report and a magazine can write anything. Om Birla said that even a newspaper cutting can be put before the House.
Amit Shah then said that Rahul has himself clarified that the book has not yet been published and this ends the discussion. Something that is not published can’t be quoted in the House.
Akhilesh Yadav joined Rahul Gandhi and said that the LoP must be allowed to speak as the matter is related to national security. Kiren Rijiju intervened and said that they are sitting in the House to listen, but the Speaker has given his ruling and he (Rahul) is still reading.
Om Birla again reminded Rahul Gandhi of the rules of the House. Rahul then referred to Tejashwi Surya’s remarks. He said that he was an MP and he spoke on our character and not on politics.
Amit Shah defended Surya and said that he never questioned the patriotism of the Opposition. Shah added that he was speaking about the intentions of the governments. “Who told Rahul Gandhi that Chinese tanks entered Indian territory?” Shah asked.
Rahul Gandhi then said that the government is scared. “What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on.”
Watch the entire standoff below
LIVE: Motion of Thanks | 18th Lok Sabha https://t.co/shbuLNv76o
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) February 2, 2026
Rijiju demands Rahul Gandhi’s apology
After the ruckus in the House, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Rahul Gandhi of flouting the rules and demanded his apology.
“Our party initiated the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address. All of us were seated to hear the speech of LoP Rahul Gandhi. But right from the beginning, Rahul Gandhi flouted rules and started quoting from a book whose publication and authenticity are not clearly mentioned. Defence Minister and all of us said that the House will function as per rules and one should speak as per rules… One cannot challenge the Chair. Even after the ruling of the Lok Sabha Speaker, Rahul Gandhi kept repeating the same mistake… He wasted half an hour, violated rules and kept saying the same thing. He started speaking on the China border… Can the Congress party bring back the landmass that was captured by China in 1959 and 1962? Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the nation,” Rijiju said.
Rijiju alleged that Rahul Gandhi doesn’t follow rules and considers himself above Parliament and reiterated that the Congress leader should apologise for the “sin of the Congress” with respect to the China border.
“If someone is born in a known family, are they above Parliament? Are they above the rules? India is a democratic nation and functions as per rules… Rahul Gandhi doesn’t follow any rules. He considers himself above Parliament. Senior Congress leaders got up and started clapping… Rahul Gandhi should use his brain and make his MPs understand to follow the rules. That is my request to him. He should apologise for the sin of Congress with respect to the China border…,” he added.
Govt scared of one line, will speak that line in the House: Rahul Gandhi
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said that the government is scared of “a line” and he will speak that line in Parliament.
“They are scared of a line. There is one line in it that PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are scared of. I will say that line inside Parliament, and no one will stop me…,” Rahul said.
His sister and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that the excerpt from the book Rahul tried to cite was not an unauthenticated source, as it has been published.
“It should be from a published source, either from a book or a magazine. This is an excerpt from the book, and it has been published. There is no unauthenticated source in this…What is the problem then? Why are they scared?” Priyanka said.