Parliamentary Protocol Breached: Unpublished Military Memoir Sparks High-Stakes Political Confrontation

The Lok Sabha descended into procedural turmoil during the Motion of Thanks debate when opposition leader Rahul Gandhi invoked excerpts from former Army Chief General MM Naravane's unpublished memoir. This unprecedented citation triggered immediate objections from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who cited parliamentary Rule 353 prohibiting references to unpublished documents. The confrontation escalated as Gandhi defended his position, asserting the material directly addressed questions of national leadership character. This incident represents a significant breach of parliamentary decorum and raises critical questions about the appropriate use of sensitive military documentation in political discourse. The episode underscores deepening institutional tensions between government and opposition, while highlighting the complex intersection of military affairs, political accountability, and procedural governance. Analysts note this confrontation may establish dangerous precedents regarding classified or restricted materials in legislative proceedings, potentially compromising both national security protocols and parliamentary integrity.