NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that the discourse surrounding the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat was an attempt to propagate a false narrative. Despite efforts by his political opponents to hold him responsible, he emphasized that the courts have found him innocent.

In a nearly three-hour podcast conversation with Lex Fridman, Modi dismissed the perception that the 2002 riots were the "biggest" in Gujarat's history, labeling it as "misinformation." He pointed out that Gujarat had witnessed over 250 communal riots prior to 2002, including the 1969 riots, which lasted nearly six months.

Modi explained, "On February 24, 2002, I became a state representative for the first time. It was around February 24th, 25th, or 26th that I entered the Gujarat Assembly for the first time. On February 27th, 2002, while we were seated in the Assembly for the budget session, the horrific Godhra incident occurred—just three days after I assumed office."

He added, "It was a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude, with people burned alive. Given the backdrop of incidents like the Kandahar hijacking, the attack on Parliament, and even 9/11, you can imagine how tense and volatile the situation was. Of course, this was tragic for everyone. Everyone prefers peace."

Reflecting on the volatile environment preceding the 2002 riots, Modi cited both global and domestic incidents such as the Kandahar hijacking, the 9/11 attacks, and the Indian Parliament attack in 2001 as contributing factors.

PM Modi described the Godhra train burning on February 27, 2002, as a "tragedy of unimaginable magnitude" that triggered the ensuing riots. He also highlighted that Gujarat has not witnessed any major riots in the past 22 years, attributing this stability to his administration’s emphasis on development and steering away from divisive politics.

He credited the judiciary for conducting a thorough investigation into the 2002 riots and clearing him of any wrongdoing, despite repeated attempts by political opponents to implicate him. In June 2022, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea filed by the late Zakia Jafri, which challenged the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to PM Modi and several others.