Penguin India on Ex-Army Chief Naravane’s 'Four Stars of Destiny': 'Holds Sole Rights, Book Not Published'

New Delhi: Book publisher The Penguin Random House India on Monday said that they hold the sole publishing rights for India's former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General MM Naravane's book 'Four Stars of Destiny' confirming that the book has not gone into publishing. It categorically noted that no copies of the book -- in print or digital form -- have been published, distributed, sold or made available otherwise to the public. Penguin publishing house statement has come hours after special cell of the Delhi Police lodged an FIR over leak, breach and circulation of Naravane's unpublished book.Addressing its concern on the matter, Penguin Random House India said, "In light of recent public discourse and media reporting, Penguin Random House India would

like to clarify that we hold the sole publishing rights for the book Four Stars of Destiny, a memoir by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, former Chief of the Indian Army. We wish to make it clear that the book has not gone into publication. No copies of the book - in print or digital form - have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public by Penguin Random House India."Adding further, the publishing house said, "Any copies of the book currently in circulation, in whole or in part, whether in print, digital, PDF, or any other format, online or offline, on any platform, constitutes an infringement of PRHI's copyright and must immediately be ceased. Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book. This statement is being issued to place the publisher's position on record."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alzoZyzECiY

Special Cell Begins Investigation Over Circulation of Ex-CoAS Naravane's Unpublished Book

A while ago, the Delhi Police Special Cell has filed an FIR over leak, breach and circulation of former Army Chief MM Naravane's unpublished book 'Four Stars of Destiny'. The Delhi Police took cognizance of information found on various online social media platforms and news forums which claimed that a pre-print copy of the book 'Four Stars of Destiny' is being circulated given that the necessary clearance for publication of this book is yet to be received from the relevant authorities.Upon verification, it was found that a PDF copy of a type-set book with the same title, and apparently prepared by Penguin Random House India Pvt. Limited, is available on certain websites, and also some online marketing platforms have displayed the finished book cover as if it is available for purchase.In order to carry out a thorough investigation into this purported leak-breach of a yet-to-be-approved publication, a case has been registered with the Special Cell, and investigation is being taken up.The row around former Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General MM Naravane's book 'Four Stars of Destiny' has been building up ever since Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi wanted to quote a memoir from ex-army chief's book in the House over the 2020 Galwan clash with China. However, since the Parliament doesn't allow members to quote from unpublished sources, therefore, the LoP was not allowed to present it.As opposition tried to corner the government after LoP was not allowed to quote the book, Rahul Gandhi displayed the said book's cover in the House in Parliament premises, further escalating the matter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHbLXf74HbQ

What Rahul Gandhi Claimed on Naravane's Book

Rahul Gandhi last week cited Naravane's 'unreleased' memoir to claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shed responsibility during the India-China conflict in 2020 and passed the buck on to the general.Addressing reporters in the premises of Parliament House complex, Gandhi held up the 'unreleased' memoir and said he would like the youngsters in India to know that this 'book' exists despite the government claiming otherwise."The Speaker has said this book does not exist, the government has said it does not exist, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh ji has said this book does not exist. Every youngster in India should see this book exists," Gandhi said.He said Naravane has written the full account of what happened in Ladakh. Gandhi said he has been told that he cannot quote from this "memoir" in Lok Sabha."The main line is what the PM said -- 'jo uchit samjho woh karo'. The chief of army staff Gen Naravane called Rajnath Singh and said 'Chinese tanks have come on Kailash ridge, what should we do? Rajnath Singh did not reply to him at first. He (Naravane) asked S Jaishankar, NSA (Ajit Doval) and Rajnath Singh ji, but did not get a reply," the Congress leader said citing the 'memoir'."He (Naravane) again called Rajnath Singh ji who said 'I will ask from the top'. There was a standing order from the top that if 'Chinese forces come in then do not fire on them without asking us'. Naravane ji and our army wanted to fire on those tanks because they had entered our territory," he said."Narendra Modi gave the message - 'jo uchit samjho woh karo'. Meaning he shed responsibility. 'Unhone army chief se kaha aapko jo karna hai karo meri bas ki nahi hai' (He told the army chief, you do whatever you want, it is beyond me)" Gandhi said, citing the book.The former Congress chief further said the Army chief has written that he felt alone and was abandoned by the entire establishment.With inputs from PTI