Row erupts in Lok Sabha as Rahul seeks to quote from ‘memoir’ of Gen Naravane

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh(L) , and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi((R) Credit: PTI Photo

Rahul Gandhi said, ‘What does it contain which is scaring them so much? If they are not scared, I should be allowed to read on.’

New Delhi : A row erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday after the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, sought to quote from what he said was the memoir of former Army chief M M Naravane, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah objecting on the grounds that the book has not yet been published.

As Gandhi rose to speak on the Motion of Thanks to the president’s address and began quoting from the book, Singh asked him to clarify whether the book had been published or not.

The Congress leader insisted that the document was authenticated and he could quote from it. He said he never wanted to speak on the particular issue, but decided to do so after BJP’s Tejasvi Surya questioned the patriotism of the Congress party.

Singh, however, maintained that the book had not been published.

Speaker Om Birla cited rules, saying no book or newspaper clipping can be quoted on a matter not related to the proceedings of the House.

Initiating the debate from the opposition’s side on the Motion of Thanks, Gandhi then said he was quoting from a magazine article to put forth his views.

The defence minister accused Gandhi of “misleading the House”.

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav supported Gandhi and urged the Speaker to allow the Congress leader to speak.