Amid the raging political controversy surrounding his unpublished memoir, titled Four Stars of Destiny, former army chief M.M. Naravane has come out with his first, albeit brief, reaction.
Taking to X, Naravane endorsed the statement by the publisher, Penguin Random House India, which explained the status of the book.
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“This is the status of the book,” wrote Naravane, retweeting the statement from the publisher.
The statement from the former Army chief came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited a 2023 social media post by Naravane informing people that the memoir in question, was "available now".
“In light of the recent public discourse and media reporting, 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 Manok Mukund Naravane, former chief of the Indian Army,” the statement by the publisher, retweeted by Naravane, said.
The publisher clarified that no copies of the book — in print or digital form — have been published, distributed, sold or otherwise made available to the public.
It further said 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 or any platform, constitute an infringement of copyright and must immediately cease.
The statement said the publisher will exercise remedies available under law against illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book.
Earlier in the day, speaking with reporters in the Parliament House complex, Rahul Gandhi read out Naravane’s 2023 social media post, which said, “Hello friends. My book is available now. Just follow the link. Happy reading. Jai Hind.”
“This is the tweet Mr Naravane has made. The point I am making is either Mr Naravane is lying, and I believe the (former) Army chief — I don’t think he will lie — or Penguin is lying. Both cannot be telling the truth,” he said.
“Penguin is saying the book is not published. The book is available on Amazon. Gen Naravane has tweeted, as I just read to you, that please buy my book. He tweeted this in 2023. Do you believe Penguin over Mr Naravane? I believe Mr Naravane,” Gandhi said.
