New Delhi, February 11: BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi has launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, demanding that he apologize to the nation for his comments regarding an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, which allegedly pertains to the 2020 Galwan Valley standoff.
Trivedi stated that Gandhi’s claims have been thoroughly debunked, as both the publisher Penguin and General Naravane have clarified that no such book has ever been published.
Penguin also noted that any distribution of a copy under Naravane’s name would constitute a copyright violation.
Trivedi accused Gandhi of misleading Parliament and politicizing serious issues like national security. He remarked that the leader of the House previously described Gandhi as an innocent child, but his behavior now resembles that of a cunning child deliberately spreading falsehoods.
Describing Gandhi’s conduct as inexcusable, Trivedi stated, “This is a crime and is not worthy of forgiveness. Now that both the publisher and the author have clarified the situation, he should apologize to the nation.”
The BJP leader emphasized that this entire matter illustrates how the Congress party is dragging national security issues into political discourse, placing the onus of misleading Parliament and the country squarely on Rahul Gandhi.
This controversy has become a focal point of intense clashes in Parliament, with Gandhi attempting to read excerpts from the alleged book during debates, leading to repeated disruptions and the suspension of several opposition MPs.
The government asserts that the book is under review by the Ministry of Defence, while the opposition accuses the government of suppressing uncomfortable truths related to national security.
In connection with the alleged leak and distribution of unpublished original copies, the Delhi Police has also registered an FIR, complicating the matter further.
General Naravane’s clarification, supporting the publisher’s statement, appears to clarify the status of the book.
Due to this controversy, the Lok Sabha proceedings have been stalled for a week.
Gandhi alleged that the government is suppressing revelations related to the India-China border conflict, while Trivedi maintained that the clarifications from both the publisher and General Naravane have completely disproven Gandhi’s claims.
He concluded, “It is clear that Rahul Gandhi attempted to mislead the House with a fabricated story, which is part of his petty Politics.”
