Govt Plans 20-Year Cooling-Off for Memoirs

The Union government is considering a proposal to impose a 20-year cooling-off period on senior officials, including top military officers, before they can publish books after retirement. The idea reportedly emerged during a recent cabinet discussion amid controversy over former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane’s unpublished memoir, Four Stars of Destiny.

Though not part of the official cabinet agenda, several ministers are understood to have supported the idea, suggesting that individuals who have held positions of high authority should observe a long gap before placing sensitive accounts in the public domain. A formal order on the proposed restriction is expected soon.

The political storm erupted after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi referred in Parliament to portions of Naravane’s unpublished manuscript, particularly concerning developments during the 2020 India-China military standoff in eastern Ladakh. The government objected, noting the book had not been officially released.

Soon after, a digital copy of the manuscript began circulating online. Publisher Penguin Random House India stated that the book had neither been published nor made available in any format and warned of legal action against unauthorised circulation. Delhi Police registered an FIR and initiated a probe into the alleged leak.

The manuscript’s account of the events at the Kailash Range near Pangong Tso in August 2020, particularly claims regarding the absence of an immediate political directive, lies at the centre of the controversy.

Separately, ministers also discussed allegations raised by the Opposition linking Union minister Hardeep Puri to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Puri has denied wrongdoing, stating his interactions were part of official engagements and that he severed ties upon learning of Epstein’s conduct.

The defence ministry has yet to clear Naravane’s manuscript for publication.