Substantive motion may be moved after Lok Sabha speech row
February 13, 2026: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday escalated the government’s attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his reference to alleged content from former Army chief General M.M. Naravane’s unpublished manuscript during a Lok Sabha speech. Rijiju said the government would issue a notice, alleging violation of parliamentary rules by citing an unpublished book and making remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Budget Session. He added that while the government initially considered moving its own motion, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had already submitted notice for a substantive motion as a private member.
The controversy arose after Gandhi cited purported excerpts from Naravane’s manuscript, Four Stars of Destiny, claiming it raised questions about the handling of the 2020 India-China border tensions. The manuscript has reportedly been awaiting clearance from the Ministry of Defence since 2023 and remains unpublished. The row intensified after a printed version was displayed publicly and a PDF circulated online, prompting Delhi Police to register a case over alleged unauthorised distribution.
Rijiju said the government would consult Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla before deciding whether to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee or Ethics Committee, or bring it directly before the House for debate and vote. A substantive motion, if admitted and passed, can lead to expulsion under parliamentary powers derived from Article 105 of the Constitution. The development has deepened the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress, with Congress leaders dismissing the move as political targeting.