Amid a growing political and legal controversy over the alleged circulation of an unpublished memoir by former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Penguin Random House India (PRHI) has issued a formal statement clarifying the status of the book and warning of legal action against those sharing it without authorisation. The clarification comes after excerpts and purported copies of the memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, surfaced online and sparked debate, including in Parliament.
Publisher’s Official Clarification: No Copies Published
In its statement, Penguin Random House India said it holds the exclusive publishing rights to the memoir Four Stars of Destiny — but stressed that the book has not yet been published in any form. The publisher explicitly stated that no copies of the book — in print or digital format — have been published, distributed, sold or otherwise made available to the public. Any material currently circulating, whether complete or partial and in any format, constitutes copyright infringement and must cease immediately. The publishing house also said it would pursue legal remedies against the unauthorised dissemination of the work.
The clarification was issued against the backdrop of a Delhi Police FIR, which was registered after alleged unauthorised versions or excerpts of the memoir appeared on social media and other platforms, prompting an investigation into how material from a yet-to-be-approved book was being shared online. The case is being handled by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police.
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Political Flashpoint and Controversy
The dispute over the status of Four Stars of Destiny escalated recently during the Lok Sabha’s Budget session, when Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was seen holding what he described as a copy of the memoir within the Parliament complex. He reportedly attempted to cite portions of the book during debates, but was stopped on the grounds that the memoir had not been officially published. Reports indicate that a pre-print version of the book had circulated online, contributing to the row.
The political angle intensified when Rahul Gandhi questioned the publisher’s claim, suggesting a contradiction between public statements and earlier indications that the book appeared available on platforms such as Amazon. Gandhi asserted his belief in General Naravane’s earlier promotional references to the book and hinted that the controversy might be linked to content perceived as politically sensitive or “inconvenient” to the government of India and its leadership.
General Naravane Endorses Publisher’s Position
Amid mounting debate, General MM Naravane himself shared the publisher’s clarification on social media, effectively endorsing the statement that the memoir has not yet been published and reinforcing the position that pre-order listings or promotional mentions do not equate to formal publication. His brief post — “This is the status of the book” — linked back to the PRHI statement.
The military veteran’s engagement in the controversy underscores the complex intersection of literary publishing, political discourse, and national security considerations, given the memoir’s subject matter and the fact that it requires clearances related to defence-related material prior to release.
Legal and Copyright Issues
PRHI’s statement emphasised that Four Stars of Destiny can only be considered published once it is formally released through official retail channels. The book’s appearance as a listing or in pre-order entries on e-commerce sites, or in manuscript form, does not constitute legal publication. Any circulation of a pre-print PDF or printed manuscript— whether shared online or offline — is treated as unauthorised and illegal under copyright law, the publisher said.
The publisher also warned that copyright infringement liability extends to both whole and partial copies, including PDFs and other formats, and indicated that it plans to use legal action to protect its rights and prevent further unapproved dissemination of the memoir.
Where Things Stand Now
- Publisher’s Position: The memoir Four Stars of Destiny has not been published in print or digital forms by Penguin Random House India, which holds exclusive publishing rights.
- Author’s Endorsement: General Naravane shared the publisher’s statement, reinforcing its position.
- Police Investigation: Delhi Police’s Special Cell is investigating the alleged unauthorised circulation of manuscript material online.
- Political Debate: The controversy has sparked political arguments, with opposition leaders questioning the conflicting claims and pointing to perceived political sensitivities.
The situation reflects broader tensions over how unpublished or defence-related content is controlled, shared and discussed — particularly when it becomes a flashpoint in national political discourse.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
