In his first response to the controversy surrounding his unpublished memoir, former Army chief MM Naravane supported publisher Penguin Random House India’s position.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.<h2>See MM Naravane's post below</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is the status of the book. <a href="https://t.co/atLtwhJvl0">https://t.co/atLtwhJvl0</a>&mdash; Manoj Naravane (@ManojNaravane) <a href="https://twitter.com/ManojNaravane/status/2021195945598452200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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.<h2>Penguin issues clarification, explains publishing process</h2>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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/man-nabbed-smuggling-rhino-horn-in-meat-1770729688630/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/man-nabbed-smuggling-rhino-horn-in-meat-1770729688630/embed</a>&nbsp;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.

Former Army chief MM Naravane supports Penguin's statement that his memoir is unpublished, warning against unauthorised circulation or copyright violations

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

Former Army chief MM Naravane supports Penguin's statement that his memoir is unpublished, warning against unauthorised circulation or copyright violations

Former Army chief MM Naravane breaks silence on row over 'unpublished' memoir.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

A book written by former Indian Army Chief Gen (retd) MM Naravane, which Rahul Gandhi cited in Parliament to criticise the government over the 2020 India-China Ladakh standoff, was not accessible on leading online stores on Wednesday (Feb 4). Searches on Amazon, Flipkart, and Penguin Random House India’s official website showed the title was either missing or marked unavailable. This came just hours after the Leader of the Opposition displayed the book in the Lok Sabha and read out excerpts from it. &nbsp;During the discussion, Rahul Gandhi referred to the book to argue that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not assume accountability during the military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh. He claimed the book is published overseas and alleged that its release in India was being blocked by the government. "The book is available abroad, it's published abroad. The government is not allowing it to be published here," the Congress party leader said. &nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kathmandu-istanbul-turkish-airlines-flight-makes-emergency-landing-in-kolkata-after-mid-air-engine-fire-1770205331951">Kathmandu–Istanbul Turkish airlines flight makes emergency landing in Kolkata after mid-air engine fire</a>&nbsp;Holding up a copy of the book in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said both the Speaker of the House and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said that such a book did not exist. He said that Naravane’s account details the Ladakh crisis and suggested that the prime minister left key decisions to the Army Chief, allegedly telling him to act as he deemed fit. “This is Naravane ji’s book, in which he has written the account of Ladakh. Narendra Modi ji did not fulfil his responsibility. He told the Army chief to do whatever he felt was appropriate,” Rahul Gandhi said. &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-petro-hold-talks-at-white-house-after-us-military-action-threats-against-colombia-1770205855298/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-petro-hold-talks-at-white-house-after-us-military-action-threats-against-colombia-1770205855298/embed</a>&nbsp;Gandhi further quoted passages in which the former Army chief reportedly wrote that he felt isolated while handling the situation during the India–China standoff.

Rahul Gandhi cited former Army chief MM Naravane’s book on Ladakh in Parliament, as it disappeared from Indian online stores, alleging that the book is available abroad but not in India

A book written by former Indian Army Chief Gen (retd) MM Naravane, which Rahul Gandhi cited in Parliament to criticise the government over the 2020 India-China Ladakh standoff, was not accessible on leading online stores on Wednesday (Feb 4). Searches on Amazon, Flipkart, and Penguin Random House India’s official website showed the title was either missing or marked unavailable. This came just hours after the Leader of the Opposition displayed the book in the Lok Sabha and read out excerpts from it. During the discussion, Rahul Gandhi referred to the book to argue that Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not assume accountability during the military confrontation with China in eastern Ladakh. He claimed the book is published overseas and alleged that its release in India was being blocked by the government. "The book is available abroad, it's published abroad. The government is not allowing it to be published here," the Congress party leader said. Also Read: Kathmandu–Istanbul Turkish airlines flight makes emergency landing in Kolkata after mid-air engine fire Holding up a copy of the book in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi said both the Speaker of the House and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier said that such a book did not exist. He said that Naravane’s account details the Ladakh crisis and suggested that the prime minister left key decisions to the Army Chief, allegedly telling him to act as he deemed fit. “This is Naravane ji’s book, in which he has written the account of Ladakh. Narendra Modi ji did not fulfil his responsibility. He told the Army chief to do whatever he felt was appropriate,” Rahul Gandhi said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-petro-hold-talks-at-white-house-after-us-military-action-threats-against-colombia-1770205855298/embed Gandhi further quoted passages in which the former Army chief reportedly wrote that he felt isolated while handling the situation during the India–China standoff.

Rahul Gandhi cited former Army chief MM Naravane’s book on Ladakh in Parliament, as it disappeared from Indian online stores, alleging that the book is available abroad but not in India

Naravane’s book ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, which Rahul Gandhi cited in parliament, goes missing on Amazon, Flipkart

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

Naravane’s book cited by Rahul Gandhi goes missing from Amazon, Flipkart