New Book Rules Coming for Army Veterans After Naravane Memoir Leak Row
MoD drafts new book rules for ex-servicemen after Naravane memoir leak.
A controversy surrounding former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny, has triggered a wider policy rethink within the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Although Penguin Random House India and General Naravane have clarified that the book has not been formally published, a purported copy of the manuscript surfaced in public discourse, including in Parliament. The episode has led the government to examine the need for clearer and stricter regulations governing how military personnel write and publish books.
According to sources, the MoD is drafting a new framework that would require both serving and retired armed forces personnel to obtain prior approval before authoring books related to military service. At present, serving officers must secure written clearance through the chain of command, but no single, comprehensive rule specifically governs retired officers. The proposed guidelines aim to formalise procedures, define approval authorities, and specify consequences for non-compliance.
Officials indicate that the new policy may incorporate provisions from existing service rules and the Official Secrets Act. While retired officers are not barred from writing books, they remain bound by legal obligations concerning confidentiality and national security. Disclosure of sensitive operational details, intelligence inputs, or information affecting foreign relations can invite criminal liability. The government views safeguarding classified material as paramount, especially given the high-level access senior officers hold during service.
Also Read: Delhi Police Sends Notice to Penguin Random House Amid Naravane Book Row
The controversy deepened after Delhi Police registered an FIR over the alleged unauthorised circulation of a PDF version of the manuscript. The Special Cell has added criminal conspiracy charges and issued notices to Penguin Random House India, seeking detailed explanations about the suspected leak. Investigators have also examined online platforms where a typeset PDF and the book cover reportedly appeared, raising questions about how an unpublished manuscript entered the digital domain.
The issue escalated politically after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi cited excerpts from the memoir in the Lok Sabha, intensifying scrutiny over the manuscript’s circulation. While the publisher has reiterated that no print or digital copies were officially released, authorities are probing potential violations related to copyright, publication norms, and official clearances. As deliberations continue, the government is expected to finalise revised publication guidelines aimed at preventing similar controversies in the future.
Also Read: Rahul Disputes Publisher’s Claim On Naravane Memoir, Cites Former Army Chief’s Post
