Former Army General Naravane Denies Published Memoir Amid FIR

Penguin Random House India confirms book has not been released as Delhi Police investigate illegal circulation.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Former Indian Army Chief Gen. M.M. Naravane confirmed that his memoir "Four Stars of Destiny" has not been officially published, contradicting claims by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Penguin Random House India, the book's publisher, also stated the manuscript has not been released in print or digital form. The Delhi Police has registered an FIR investigating the alleged illegal circulation of the unpublished text.

Why it matters

The unauthorized distribution of an unpublished military memoir containing potentially sensitive information about government policies and military operations raises significant security concerns. The controversy has also fueled political debate, with opposition figures like Rahul Gandhi challenging the publisher's and author's claims about the book's status.

The details

Gen. Naravane shared Penguin Random House India's statement on social media, affirming the book's unpublished status. This followed Rahul Gandhi citing a December 2023 social media post by Gen. Naravane stating the book was "available now" as evidence contradicting the publisher's claim. Portions of the circulated manuscript reportedly detail the 2020 Galwan clash with China and the government's Agniveer military recruitment scheme, suggesting potential disagreements over policy. Neither the publisher nor Gen. Naravane have explained how the manuscript reached Gandhi or whether a hardcopy had been printed but not distributed. The book has not yet obtained clearance from India's Ministry of Defence.

  • On February 10, 2026, Gen. Naravane confirmed the book's unpublished status.
  • Last week, Rahul Gandhi displayed what he described as a copy of the book within the Parliament complex.

The players

Gen. M.M. Naravane

Former Chief of the Indian Army who authored the unpublished memoir "Four Stars of Destiny".

Penguin Random House India

The publisher that holds the sole rights to Gen. Naravane's memoir and has stated the book has not been released.

Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader who cited a social media post by Gen. Naravane to challenge the publisher's claim that the book is unpublished.

Delhi Police

Authorities who have registered an FIR investigating the alleged illegal circulation of the unpublished manuscript.

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What they’re saying

“This is the status of the book.”

— Gen. M.M. Naravane, Former Army Chief (Social media)

“Penguin Random House India holds the sole publishing rights to 'Four Stars of Destiny' and affirms that the book has not gone into publication. No copies, in print or digital form, have been published, distributed, sold, or made available to the public by the company.”

— Penguin Random House India, Publisher (Statement)

What’s next

The Delhi Police investigation into the alleged illegal circulation of the unpublished manuscript is ongoing, and Penguin Random House India has stated it will pursue legal remedies against any unauthorized dissemination.

The takeaway

The controversy surrounding Gen. Naravane's unpublished memoir highlights the sensitivity of military accounts and the potential for political exploitation, raising concerns about security protocols and the need for clear communication between authors, publishers, and government authorities.