The Importance of Transparency

THE INDIVIDUAL PRESS
( Dares to Speak the Truth )

EDITORIAL ANALYSIS

#Parliament Cannot Be Turned Into a Platform for Unverified Documents.

Who Brought Unverified Pages into Parliament?

The “Four Stars Of Destiny” Episode Is No Ordinary Political Dispute.

The controversy surrounding the yet-to-be-released book “Four Stars Of Destiny”, reportedly authored by General Manoj Mukund Naravane and linked to Penguin Random House India, has escalated beyond partisan politics.

It now touches the credibility of Parliament itself.
The book has not been officially released. The publisher has indicated that it remains unpublished. Yet, excerpts — allegedly photocopied pages from this unreleased manuscript — were cited on the floor of Parliament by Rahul Gandhi to level allegations against the Government.

This is not routine opposition politics.
This is a question of documentary authenticity inside the highest legislative institution of the Republic.

The Core Questions That Cannot Be Ignored.
If the book is unreleased, how were the pages obtained?
Were the pages complete, selective, or contextually edited?
Were they officially shared, leaked, or independently sourced?
Did the author authorize the circulation of those excerpts?
Did the publisher verify the authenticity of what was presented?

If the excerpts are genuine — the nation deserves full disclosure.
If they are incomplete or misrepresented — Parliament may have been misled.

Both possibilities demand urgent scrutiny.
Silence Is Not Neutral.

The Government has denied the allegations.
The publisher has clarified that the book has not been released.
No immediate public clarification came from the author during the height of the controversy.

In matters of this magnitude, silence is not neutrality — it deepens suspicion.

When unpublished material is used to create national-level political confrontation, institutional response cannot be casual.

Parliament Is Not a Theatre of Photocopies.
The floor of Parliament is protected by privilege because it is expected to be guided by responsibility.

If unverified documents can be waved inside the House and used as a weapon of accusation without authentication, it sets a precedent that is dangerous for democracy itself.

Tomorrow, any draft manuscript, internal memo, or selectively edited document could be weaponized. That would reduce Parliament from a deliberative body to an arena of document warfare.

That must never be allowed.
Immediate Institutional Steps Required.

The Hon’ble Speaker must initiate a time-bound inquiry into the authenticity and source of the cited documents.

Penguin Random House India must officially clarify whether the circulated pages correspond to the approved manuscript.

General Manoj Mukund Naravane must state clearly whether the cited excerpts reflect his written position in full context.

Rahul Gandhi must submit the documentary source relied upon and confirm its authenticity.

If authenticity is proven — the Government must answer.

If manipulation is proven — parliamentary privilege has been misused.

In either case, accountability is non-negotiable.

This Is Bigger Than Politics
In the digital era, parliamentary proceedings are broadcast instantly across the country. Allegations made inside the House shape public opinion within minutes.
Therefore, the responsibility is heavier than ever before.

This episode is not about ruling party versus opposition.

It is about whether Parliament operates on verified facts or political dramatization.
If institutional discipline is not enforced now, the precedent will echo for years.
The matter is now in the custody of the Speaker.
Authority must be exercised firmly, transparently, and without political hesitation.

Democracy does not fear debate.
But democracy cannot survive manufactured ambiguity.

The nation deserves clarity — not clouds.

Jurisdiction: Kolkata High Court Only

Krishna Chandra Das
Press Member & Chief Editor
The Individual Press