Just a few days ago, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi flashed a ‘hardcover copy’ of the unpublished memoir ‘Four Stars of Destiny’ of former Indian Army chief MM Naravane. On Monday, 9 February 2026, the book’s publisher Penguin Random House India issued a clarification.
The publisher said it holds the sole publishing rights to the book and that it has not yet been released. It stated that no copies, print or digital, have been published, distributed, sold, or otherwise made available to the public.
In an official statement, 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.”
The publisher added, “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.”
Warning against unauthorised circulation, the statement 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.”
The company further said it would pursue legal remedies against violations. “Penguin Random House India shall be exercising remedies available in law against the illegal and unauthorised dissemination of the book,” it said, adding, “This statement is being issued to place the publisher’s position on record.”
Statement from the publisher. pic.twitter.com/pksacg3EeT
— Penguin India (@PenguinIndia) February 9, 2026
Political controversy
A political row broke out after Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from what he described as a “pre-print” version of the memoir during his speech in the Lok Sabha on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address last week.
Gandhi sought to read an excerpt relating to the 2017 Doklam stand-off with China but was unable to proceed amid repeated interruptions by Union ministers, including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh. Treasury bench members strongly objected to his remarks.
Following multiple adjournments over the issue, the Lok Sabha later adopted the Motion of Thanks by voice vote amid sloganeering by Opposition members.
Delhi Police register FIR
Meanwhile, Delhi Police said it had taken cognisance of information circulating on social media platforms and news forums claiming that a pre-print copy of Four Stars of Destiny was being shared.
According to ANI, the Special Cell has registered an FIR regarding the circulation of the unpublished book online. The case relates to a “purported leak/breach of a yet to be approved publication.”
Police officials said an investigation has been initiated into claims about the availability and dissemination of the alleged pre-print copy.
Source: Mint
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