No ban on book writing by retired army officers

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Defense Minister clarified the position on the writings of retired army officers

New Delhi. Former Army Chief General M.M. Amid the controversy over Naravane’s proposed book, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has provided clarity saying that there is no bar on retired military officers writing books or releasing memoirs. He also dismissed speculations that the idea of ​​a ‘cooling-off period’ for writing for 20 years after retirement is being considered.

Defense Minister’s statement

Rajnath Singh said that no such proposal has come before the government or the cabinet for consideration. According to him, former military officers are free to share their experiences while following the laid down rules and provisions related to sensitive information.

Cause of controversy regarding the book

This debate started when political discussions increased regarding some excerpts from General Naravane’s unpublished book “Four Stars of Destiny”. According to the information, the book mentions important events like the military confrontation between India and China in Ladakh, which led to public and political reactions.

Political rhetoric and reactions in Parliament

The matter even reached Parliament, where Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised questions on the issue while ruling party MPs supported the government. The heated debate between the two sides made it a national topic of discussion.

Rajnath Singh denied the rumors

Talking to the media, the Defense Minister said that there is no plan to implement any rule like ‘cooling-off period’ nor has any formal proposal been made in this regard. He stressed that the balance between military traditions, national security, and freedom of expression is maintained under already established procedures.

Next steps and defense cooperation

The Defense Minister said that the government is making efforts to take forward international agreements related to defense cooperation in the coming months and related processes are underway. The government has made it clear that no new restrictions are being imposed on the writings of retired military officers. They can share their information under existing security guidelines.