Former Army chief MM Naravane breaks silence on row over 'unpublished' memoir. Here's what he said

In his first response to the controversy surrounding his unpublished memoir, former Army chief MM Naravane supported publisher Penguin Random House India’s position. Penguin clarified that an announcement about a book or pre-orders does not equate to publication. They stressed that the memoir has not been published, and no copies have been distributed. Penguin also warned against circulating any unauthorised copies, as it would violate their copyright. Naravane shared Penguin's statement, confirming the status of the book.

See MM Naravane's post below

Penguin Random House India has come under scrutiny following the alleged circulation of PDF versions of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s memoir, which is yet to receive clearance from the Ministry of Defence. The Delhi Police is investigating the unauthorised distribution of the material. The controversy intensified after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi cited portions of the book in the Lok Sabha while targeting the government.

Penguin issues clarification, explains publishing process

In an official statement, Penguin Random House India asserted that it holds the exclusive publishing rights to Four Stars of Destiny, Naravane’s memoir. The publisher said it was addressing the matter amid ongoing public debate and media coverage. It emphasised that the memoir has not been published and that no authorised copies, printed or digital, have been released, distributed, sold, or made accessible to readers.

The publisher warned that any version currently being shared, whether as a printout, PDF, or through online or offline platforms, amounts to a violation of its copyright. It added that legal action would be pursued against those responsible for the unauthorised circulation. Alongside the clarification, Penguin released a brief guide outlining how the publishing cycle works. It noted that there is a clear distinction between a book being announced, available for pre-order, and officially published.

According to the publisher, an announcement simply signals that a book is in the pipeline and not yet ready for sale. Similarly, pre-orders are a routine industry practice that allows readers and retailers to reserve copies ahead of time, but they do not indicate that the book has been released. Penguin also clarified that a scheduled publication date only reflects a planned release and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the book is already available. A title is considered published only when it can be purchased through retail channels. The statement concluded with the publisher reaffirming its commitment to transparency and clarity in its publishing practices.