Protests, Handshake Refused, Message for PM Modi: Rahul Gandhi’s Parliament Showdown Enters Day 3

New Delhi

The political temperature inside and outside Parliament continued to rise on Wednesday as the Rahul Gandhi memoir Parliament row entered its third day, marked by loud protests, repeated adjournments, a symbolic refusal of a handshake, and a direct challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

What began as an attempt by the Congress leader to quote from an unpublished memoir of former Army Chief General MM Naravane has now snowballed into one of the most intense confrontations of the ongoing Budget Session, exposing deep divisions between the opposition and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rahul Gandhi holding a document while speaking to reporters outside Parliament during the memoir controversy.
Rahul Gandhi addresses the media outside Parliament amid protests over the unpublished memoir row during the Budget Session.

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What Sparked the Controversy

At the heart of the row is Rahul Gandhi’s insistence on referring to media reports based on General Naravane’s unreleased memoir, which allegedly contains sensitive observations on the Indian government’s handling of the 2020 India-China border standoff in eastern Ladakh.

Gandhi has argued that the contents of the memoir raise serious questions about political leadership and accountability during a national security crisis. However, the Lok Sabha Speaker ruled that quoting from unpublished material that is not officially on record violates parliamentary norms.

The ruling triggered protests from Congress MPs, who accused the government of suppressing uncomfortable truths under the guise of procedural rules.

Day 3: Protests Force Repeated Adjournments

On the third day of the standoff, the Lok Sabha witnessed continuous disruptions as opposition MPs raised slogans and demanded that Gandhi be allowed to speak. The repeated protests forced multiple adjournments, bringing legislative business to a standstill.

Several Congress MPs were later suspended for the remainder of the session for what the Speaker described as “grossly disorderly conduct.” The opposition, however, claimed the suspensions were politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.

Outside the House, Congress leaders held placards and addressed the media, alleging that democratic debate in Parliament was being systematically weakened.

Handshake Refused: A Moment That Went Viral

One of the most talked-about moments of the day unfolded outside Parliament when Rahul Gandhi encountered Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, a former Congress leader who joined the BJP in 2024.

Gandhi reportedly referred to Bittu as a “traitor friend” and extended his hand. Bittu declined the handshake, responding with sharp words of his own. The brief exchange, captured on camera, quickly went viral and came to symbolise the growing personal and political bitterness between the two sides.

While both leaders attempted to downplay the incident later, it added fuel to an already volatile atmosphere.

Rahul Gandhi’s Message for PM Modi

Escalating his attack, Rahul Gandhi held up what he claimed was a copy of General Naravane’s memoir while speaking to reporters. He said he was ready to hand the book directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the PM agreed to come to Parliament and listen to what he described as “the truth.”

Gandhi alleged that the government fears open discussion on the contents of the memoir and accused the Prime Minister of avoiding accountability. According to him, young Indians deserve transparency on matters related to national security and decision-making.

The BJP has strongly rejected these claims, calling Gandhi’s remarks irresponsible and dangerous, especially when they involve the armed forces.

Government’s Stand: Rules Must Be Followed

The ruling party maintains that the issue is not about censorship but about parliamentary procedure. Senior BJP leaders argued that allowing MPs to quote from unpublished or unofficial material could set a dangerous precedent and compromise institutional integrity.

They also accused the Congress of deliberately disrupting Parliament to distract from policy discussions during the Budget Session.

According to the government, national security matters should not be politicised for short-term political gains.

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Why This Row Matters Politically

Political observers say the Rahul Gandhi memoir Parliament row reflects a deeper crisis in parliamentary functioning, where trust between the treasury benches and the opposition has eroded significantly.

The episode also highlights the opposition’s strategy of keeping national security and leadership accountability at the centre of its political narrative, while the government appears determined to enforce strict procedural boundaries.

With several key bills still pending, continued disruptions could impact legislative productivity and further harden political positions on both sides.

What to Expect Next

As the Budget Session continues, both the government and the opposition appear unwilling to back down. Congress leaders have hinted at intensifying protests, while the Speaker’s office has signalled zero tolerance for disruptions.

Whether the standoff leads to meaningful debate or deeper deadlock remains to be seen, but for now, Parliament remains gripped by confrontation rather than consensus.

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