PM Modi’s Lok Sabha reply cancelled amid opposition protests over Naravane memoir row

The disruption followed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s demand to speak on what he described as a national security issue linked to the 2020 China border crisis.

Gandhi has alleged that the government blocked him from quoting from the unpublished memoirs of former Army chief General M.M. Naravane, claiming the ruling BJP was “scared” of the contents.

The situation escalated after BJP MP Nishikant Dubey responded to Gandhi’s remarks by saying that while the Congress leader wanted to refer to an unpublished book, he himself had brought several published books to “expose” the Gandhi family. As Dubey began listing the books and their allegations, Opposition members strongly objected.

Presiding officer Krishna Prasad Tenneti intervened, citing Rule 349 of the Lok Sabha rules, which prohibits members from reading out of books, newspapers or letters unless connected to the business of the House. Despite repeated admonitions, Dubey refused to stop, triggering louder protests from the Opposition. The House was subsequently adjourned again.

The ruckus came a day after eight Opposition MPs were suspended following prolonged protests, further intensifying tensions in the House.

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi said he intended to present a book written by former Army chief General Naravane to the Prime Minister, alleging it exposed how political leadership left the armed forces to act alone during the 2020 standoff with China. In a post on X, Gandhi claimed that government ministers were denying the very existence of the book.

Following the cancellation of the Prime Minister’s speech, Gandhi posted that PM Modi had avoided Parliament because he was “scared” and unwilling to face the truth. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the charge, saying the Prime Minister was “too scared to enter Parliament”.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned earlier in the day till 2 pm amid protests, after which Congress MPs staged a demonstration outside the Parliament complex, demanding that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to speak on the President’s address.