The Lok Sabha witnessed intense disruption on Monday as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi triggered a heated confrontation during his address in the ongoing Parliament Budget Session 2026. The uproar began shortly after Gandhi cited references from an unpublished memoir of former Army chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane, prompting strong objections from senior ministers of the BJP-led government.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the first to intervene, firmly opposing the citation of material that has not been formally released to the public. He argued that unpublished books or documents cannot be quoted in parliamentary proceedings, as they lack official verification and public scrutiny. Singh stressed that Parliament functions on established norms and credibility, and allowing references from unpublished sources would undermine the sanctity of legislative debate.

Soon after, Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined the intervention, reinforcing Rajnath Singh’s objections. Shah emphasised that only officially published material should be used in Parliament, remarking that magazines and unpublished writings can contain unverified claims. He urged the House to adhere strictly to parliamentary standards and procedures, asserting that credibility and authenticity must remain central to legislative discussions.

The objections sparked strong protests from Opposition members, who accused the Treasury benches of repeatedly interrupting the Leader of Opposition. As arguments intensified, the House plunged into disorder, with loud sloganeering and counter-arguments echoing across the Lok Sabha. MPs from the ruling alliance demanded procedural compliance, while Opposition leaders insisted that Rahul Gandhi be allowed to complete his remarks without obstruction.

The confrontation unfolded during the debate on the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address, one of the most significant discussions of the Budget Session 2026. The session holds added importance as it follows Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation, making parliamentary proceedings closely watched across the political spectrum.

Despite the charged atmosphere, the House eventually resumed after the initial uproar. However, the incident highlighted the deepening friction between the government and the Opposition, particularly on issues involving national security, military affairs, and parliamentary protocol. Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to reference General Naravane’s unpublished memoir brought these tensions sharply into focus.

Political observers note that the episode underscores ongoing debates over freedom of speech within Parliament versus adherence to procedural norms. While the Opposition maintains that parliamentary privilege allows robust debate, the government insists that unverified or unpublished sources cannot form the basis of serious legislative discussion, especially on sensitive defence-related matters.

The ruckus also reflects the broader tone of the Union Budget Session 2026, which has seen repeated confrontations between the BJP and Congress on governance, transparency, and accountability. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to reply to the Motion of Thanks later in the session, further high-voltage exchanges are anticipated.

Overall, the Lok Sabha disruption over Rahul Gandhi citing General Naravane’s unpublished memoir has become one of the most talked-about moments of the Budget Session so far, highlighting the delicate balance between parliamentary decorum, political expression, and procedural discipline in India’s highest legislative forum.

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