PM Modi on 2002 Gujarat Riots: “A Tragedy of Unimaginable Magnitude”

📅 March 17, 2025 |

In an exclusive three-hour-long interview with US podcaster Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 2002 Gujarat riots, the backdrop in which they occurred, and the lessons learned.

📍 Key Highlights from PM Modi’s Interview:

🔥 1. The Background Leading to 2002

Also Read: PM Modi’s Key Quotes from Lex Fridman Podcast: India’s Democracy, AI, India-Pakistan Match & Global Diplomacy

PM Modi pointed out that before 2002, Gujarat had seen over 250 riots, making communal violence a recurring issue in the state. He also emphasized that the global atmosphere at the time was extremely tense due to:

🔹 1999 Kandahar hijack
🔹 2001 Attack on J&K Assembly
🔹 2001 Indian Parliament attack
🔹 9/11 Twin Tower attacks in the US

“Even a small spark in such a volatile environment could ignite unrest,” PM Modi said.

🚨 2. “Godhra Incident Was A Tragedy Of Unimaginable Magnitude”

🔹 PM Modi recalled February 27, 2002, just three days after he had officially become a State Representative.
🔹 “We were in the assembly for the budget session when the horrific Godhra train burning incident occurred. People were burned alive in a manner beyond imagination.”

Also Read: PM Modi on 2002 Gujarat Riots: “A Tragedy of Unimaginable Magnitude”

⚖️ 3. Legal Battles & Misinformation Around 2002

PM Modi stated that his political opponents in power at the time tried to blame him, but the judiciary cleared him after thorough investigations:

Also Read: PM Modi on India’s ‘Mini Brazil’: “A Village Where Football Runs in the Blood

🔹 “Our political opponents made relentless efforts, but the judiciary twice found us completely innocent.”
🔹 “Those who were truly responsible have faced justice from the courts.”

📊 4. Gujarat’s Communal History Before 2002

🔹 PM Modi refuted the claim that the 2002 riots were the biggest in Gujarat’s history.
🔹 He cited past riots, such as the 1969 riots that lasted six months.
🔹 “Before 2002, Gujarat saw frequent curfews and communal violence over trivial matters like kite-flying or bicycle collisions.”

🏗️ 5. Gujarat Since 2002: “No Communal Violence”

PM Modi highlighted that since 2002, Gujarat has not witnessed a single riot.
🔹 “With our policy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’, politics of appeasement has been replaced by politics of development.”