Awkward Moment in Lok Sabha: Rahul Gandhi Cites Book That Isn’t Published

Sindujaa D N
The lok sabha witnessed an uncomfortable and dramatic moment on wednesday when congress leader rahul gandhi rose to speak on national security, only to find members of his own party laughing — prompting a sharp intervention from the Speaker.

As rahul gandhi began his speech, some congress MPs were seen laughing, forcing Speaker om birla to ask:

“Why are congress MPs laughing? Why are you laughing at your own leader?”

The remark immediately drew attention across the house and set the tone for what would soon turn into a controversy.


The Claim That Sparked the Row

During his speech, rahul gandhi waved a paper and made a serious allegation, stating that:

“During the Doklam conflict, four Chinese tanks climbed Mount Kailash.”

Given the sensitivity of the issue, the government sought clarification on the source of this information.

Rahul gandhi responded that the claim was mentioned in a book written by former army Chief General Manoj Naravane.


A Book That Hasn’t Been Published

The government quickly pointed out a glaring inconsistency:
General Naravane’s book has not yet been published.

When asked how rahul gandhi accessed information from a book that has not been printed or released, he failed to provide a clear answer.


Changing Versions and Growing Confusion

Following this, the congress party attempted to clarify that the information had actually been sourced from a magazine article, not a book.

This led Speaker om birla to raise a critical question:

“If the information is from a magazine, why is it being attributed to General Naravane?”

The contradiction further intensified the debate inside the House.


Government’s Clarification

Home minister Amit Shah intervened to explain the matter, stating that:

  • The claim originated from an article published in a magazine linked to an NGO

  • The article was not authored by General Naravane

  • His name was being incorrectly used to lend credibility

  • False attribution and misleading statements were being made in Parliament

The government accused the congress leader of misrepresenting sources and spreading unverified information on a matter as sensitive as national security.


Concerns Over National Security Discourse

The episode raised serious concerns about the handling of national security discussions in Parliament. government members argued that:

  • Making unverified claims on military matters can mislead the public

  • Incorrectly attributing information to senior army officials undermines institutions

  • Parliament must not become a platform for speculation and misinformation

They maintained that such statements could create unnecessary fear and damage India’s credibility.


Political Fallout

The incident once again put rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary conduct under scrutiny. Critics argued that frequent factual inconsistencies weaken the Opposition’s ability to hold the government accountable on genuine issues.

The moment when his own party MPs laughed was seen by many as symbolic of the growing internal discomfort within the congress ranks.


Conclusion

National security remains one of the most serious subjects debated in Parliament. Allegations related to military movements and data-border conflicts demand verified sources, precise attribution, and responsible articulation.

The controversy surrounding rahul Gandhi’s statement has reignited debate over whether political messaging is being prioritised over factual accuracy — a question that continues to echo both inside and outside the Lok Sabha.

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