The Lok Sabha experienced severe disturbances and political clashes throughout the Budget Session after Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi used information from an unpublished work about General Manoj Naravane which he attributed to the former Army Chief.
What Triggered the Controversy?
During his speech at the President’s Address debate Rahul Gandhi discussed both national security issues and India’s border security problems. He presented parts of General Naravane’s memoir which he claimed to have found during his speech. The reference to the book created doubt because its content has not reached formal publication status which raised questions about its validity and actual value.
Government Raises Objections
Government representatives from the treasury benches expressed strong opposition because they believed Parliament should not accept unpublished works as valid sources. They challenged the trustworthiness of the materials while pointing out that their acceptance would create dangerous standards for future reference.
Speaker’s Intervention
As the uproar grew louder, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla intervened to restore order. He reminded members that Parliamentary rules do not permit quoting from unpublished or unverifiable sources. The Speaker instructed Rahul Gandhi to refrain from using those references and to focus on the approved discussion topic.
Uproar in the House
The disagreement soon escalated into a full-scale uproar, forcing interruptions in the session. Members from both sides exchanged accusations, highlighting the deep political divide over issues of national security, freedom of speech, and parliamentary discipline.
Rahul Gandhi’s Response
Rahul Gandhi defended himself by saying the content was already in circulation through other formats and was relevant to the national interest. The ruling benches rejected his explanation because the House continued to be filled with disruptions which included both slogans and counter-arguments.
