New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi Indian media on Tuesday reacted to an FIR filed by the Delhi Police over the alleged circulation of the “unpublished memoirs” of former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane and a clarification issued by the book’s publisher, Penguin Random House India.Speaking to reporters, Rahul questioned Penguin’s assertion that the book was not yet published and said there was a contradiction between the publisher’s stance and General Naravane’s earlier statement.“This is a tweet from Mr. Naravane that says – ‘Just click on the link to my book’,” Gandhi said.“The point I am making is – either Mr Naravane is lying or Penguin is lying. I don’t think the former Army Chief is lying,” he added.Gandhi argued that while Penguin claimed the memoir had not yet been published, it appeared to have been publicized in the past.“Penguin says the book has not been published yet. But the book is available for purchase on Amazon. Please buy my book in 2023,” General Naravane tweeted. “I believe in Naravane ji more than Penguin. Do you believe in Penguin or do you believe in Naravane ji?” he asked.this congress Leaders claim the contents of the memoirs could be the reason behind the current row.“I believe Naravane Ji has made some statements in his book that are inconvenient to the government of India and the Prime Minister of India. Obviously, you have to decide whether Penguin or the former Army Chief is telling the truth,” Gandhi said.Just a day before his remarks, Penguin Random House India (PRHI) issued a statement claiming that the company has the exclusive publishing rights for the memoir “Four Stars” and that the book has not yet been officially released.“Penguin Random House India would like to clarify that we have the exclusive publishing rights for the book ‘Four Stars of Destiny’, a memoir of former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane. indian army. We wish to make it clear that this book has not yet been published. ” said the publisher.The company further stated that it has not yet provided a copy of the book in any format. Penguin warns that any version of the memoir currently in circulation would constitute copyright infringement.“Any copy of the book currently in circulation on any platform, whether in whole or in part, whether in print, digital, PDF or any other format, online or offline, constitutes an infringement of PRHI’s copyright and must cease immediately,” it said, adding that legal action would be taken against the unauthorized dissemination.Earlier, Delhi Police registered an FIR and tasked its special cell to investigate the alleged leak or circulation of manuscripts in digital and other formats.The issue first surfaced last week when Gandhi was seen holding up a copy of what he claimed was his memoirs in Parliament House. From February 2, he tried to quote excerpts from the book in the Lok Sabha but was blocked on the grounds that the book had not been officially published.
