What is the process of publishing a book on defense issues, when is the approval of the Defense Ministry necessary? Understand from 9 questions and answers

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The book of former Indian Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane is much discussed these days. The publisher claims that the book has not been printed. People say that when the book has not been published then how did Naravane announce it on his social media account? How did the book reach the hands of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, which he showed in front of the media? Many such questions are in the air.

In India, whenever a book related to army, defense policy, war, strategy or autobiography of a serving/former military officer comes out, questions related to it arise not only from the common people but also at the media and government level. The latest controversy is whether General Naravane’s book has been officially published or not? Has the author taken permission from the government? How was the ISBN issued and if the link of the book was shared on social media, how could it be called unpublished.

To understand these questions, it is important to understand the entire process of publishing books on defense related topics in India in a step-by-step manner. Let us understand in detail.

Question-1: Is there any special process for publishing books on defense related issues in India?

There is no central licensing system for book publishing in India. That means, in general, any writer can write a book on any subject and get it published. But the matter becomes a bit sensitive in defense related issues. Books related to defense mainly fall into three categories.

  1. Research/Analysis based books (Strategy, History, War Studies)
  2. journalism or non-fiction books
  3. Autobiographies or memoirs of serving or former military officers

In the first two categories, government approval is generally not mandatory, unless the book contains confidential or classified information. The third category, i.e. autobiographies of army officers, is considered the most sensitive.

Autobiography of General Naravane ‘Four Stars of Destiny’.

Question-2: Does the writer have to take permission from the government or defense ministry?

According to the rules, the situation is that if the author is a common citizen, journalist, researcher or academician, then he does not have the legal obligation to take prior permission from the Defense Ministry, provided he does not disclose any classified (confidential) information.

There should be no violation of the Official Secrets Act, 1923. Yes, the rules are strict for serving officers. They have to take permission from the Service Headquarters and the Defense Ministry before publishing any book, article or interview. The content is sent for vetting/scrutiny. No book or any content can be published without permission. There is maximum confusion in the case of former military officers.

Retired officers have freedom of expression under the Constitution. But they have a moral and partly legal responsibility not to share any information that could harm national security, military strategy, operational details, foreign relations. In many cases, former officers voluntarily show their manuscripts to the Defense Ministry or the Army, but this is not legally mandatory in every case.

Penguin Publications responded

Penguin Publications has said that if any copy of the book, in whole or in part, is present on any platform, it is a violation of the Copyright Act.

Question-3: Does the publishing house give information about the book to the government?

The short answer to this question in simple words is – no. In India, it is not mandatory for the publishing house to give information directly to the government or the Defense Ministry. The publisher’s primary obligation is the contract with the author. Legal scrutiny of content (defamation, copyright), marketing and distribution etc. However, if the subject of the book is very sensitive or there is already a possibility of controversy, then big publishers also take legal opinion and if necessary, stop the book.

Question-4: When and how is the ISBN number issued?

ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is an international identification number. The process of its issuance is that usually the publisher applies to the ISBN agency (Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency in India). The author can also apply directly. This institution works under the supervision of the Government of India. For this, details like title of the book, name of the author, publisher, language, format etc. are necessary. After all this information the ISBN is usually issued.

The important thing is that issuance of ISBN does not mean that the book has been printed or has come in the market. ISBN can also be given to the proposed book. Many times a book takes an ISBN in the draft stage itself. So if it is claimed that an ISBN was issued, it only means that the book had received an identification number, not that it had been formally published.

Narvane Book Isbn 9780670099757

Searching the book’s ISBN number 780670099757 reveals many details.

Question-5: What information is available from the ISBN number?

Durga Prasad Mishra, MD, DPS Publishing House, Delhi, and Mahesh Bhardwaj, MD, Occasional Publications, say that ISBN generally provides information about the name of the book, name of the author, publisher, edition (hardcover, paperback, e-book) and language etc. But ISBN does not prove that the book has been printed. This does not prove that the book is free from legal disputes. It also does not prove that the book is available for sale in the market. Mr. Mishra says that many times online booking is started before the book is published. This is a very common process these days.

Question-6: Does the book go to the writer before being printed?

Usually the author submits his manuscript to the publisher. The publisher does the editing. Proof copy is ready. The proof is given to the writer to read. At this stage the book is not completely printed. This is a pre-publication copy. Many times this proof copy gets leaked. It gets spread in digital form and later controversy arises.

General Naravane Book Four Stars Of Destiny

The publication says that the book was not published, but the book was seen in the hands of Rahul Gandhi.

Question-7: How was the pre-order link shared on social media?

This is the most important and confusing question. Technically, a book is considered published when the publisher officially releases it. Sale or distribution begins. If the book is only temporarily listed on a website or the pre-order/preview link is activated by mistake or the author shares a draft/proof link, the publisher can claim that the book has not been officially published. Therefore, having a copy of the book with the author or sharing the link on social media does not in itself prove that the book has been published. It seems to be the same in the case of General Naravane.

Question-8: What happens if a dispute arises between the government versus the writer?

If the government feels that the book harms national security. If confidential information is exposed, the government has many options. A request to stop or modify the book can be made by talking to the publisher. Legal notice can be given. Action can be taken under Defamation, Official Secrets Act, IT Act etc. The path to court also opens. The sale of books can be banned through stay order.

The author has the right to freedom of expression. There is a right to challenge the government’s decision in the court. Often in such cases the publisher puts the book on hold before the matter reaches the court.

General Naravane had shared the link for pre-order of the book

Question-9: If the book was not published then how did it come into Rahul’s hands?

Yes, this is a very important question. The publisher claims that the book has not been published yet. In such a situation, how did this book come into the hands of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi? Some people say that since the cover page is present on the social media account of General Naravane. In such a situation, making a pseudo book is not a difficult task. Some content of the book has already been published in the media. Rahul had presented his views in Parliament only with the help of media reports. The book which he had in his hand, which he presented in front of the media, he did not open and show it to anyone. When Rahul was presenting his views on this issue in Parliament, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh had raised the question that he should first present the book in the House and then talk about it. In such a situation, the question still remains unresolved that from where did the book come into Rahul Gandhi’s hands?

Thus we find that publishing books on defense related issues is not completely banned in India, but it is a sensitive process. Issuance of ISBN, author having a copy of the book or link appearing on social media, all these things are not the final proof of formal publication of the book. It is necessary to strike a balance between the army, the government, the writer and the publisher. This is the reason why many times books, despite being written, are not published and controversies arise.

Also read: How much punishment does one get for publishing a book before its publication? Controversy over General Naravane’s book

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