Lok Sabha Erupts as Rahul Gandhi Quotes Unpublished Memoir; Congress MPs Suspended Amid Protests
February 3, 2026
The Lok Sabha descended into chaos as Rahul Gandhi quoted from an unpublished memoir about the 2020 India-China standoff, provoking strong opposition from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP members and prompting adjournments.
Eight Congress MPs, including Hibi Eden, Amarinder Raja Warring, and Manickam Tagore, were suspended for the remainder of the session amid protests and paper-tearing actions.
Opposition leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, protested outside Parliament against the suspensions and the India–US trade agreement.
Government sources said the India–US deal would still protect sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, even as calls for full transparency persist.
Gandhi said he was citing a magazine piece to discuss national security, while the government insisted on proper textual provenance and adherence to parliamentary rules.
Gandhi emphasized transparency and democratic dialogue, arguing that Parliament should hear both defending and opposing voices on national security topics.
Other items on the agenda included trade deal outcomes, tariff disputes, and routine NDA activities, underscoring a busy Parliament day.
PTI reported Naravane’s communications with the Defence Minister and others around August 31, 2020, highlighting the sequence of events as tensions rose during the Ladakh standoff.
The Budget Session is tense, with both sides digging in: the opposition demands accountability and full debates on security and trade, while the government seeks to control the narrative and procedural norms.
Naravane acknowledged writing the book and submitting it to a publisher, stressing that publication requires MoD permission and highlighting governance around retired officers sharing sensitive material.
The report notes inputs from multiple agencies, indicating corroboration across sources.
Summary based on 20 sources
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Sources

The Times Of India • Feb 2, 2026
Rahul quotes from ex-Gen’s unpublished book on China row, gets Shah, Rajnath rap
The Hindu • Feb 3, 2026
Eight Congress MPs from Lok Sabha suspended for the remainder of Budget Parliament session
The Indian Express • Feb 3, 2026
What Gen Naravane’s memoir says about 2020 Ladakh face-off with China: ‘I had been handed a hot potato’