'Even Smallest Spark Can Ignite Unrest': PM Modi Narrates What Led To 2002 Gujarat Riots

PM Modi, while speaking on the Gujarat riots, said the perception that these were the biggest riots ever is misinformation and added that there was over 250 significant riots in Gujarat before 2002. 

By : ABP Live News | Updated at : 16 Mar 2025 08:04 PM (IST)

PM Modi with Lex Fridman Podcast.
Source : X

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke on a range of issues, including his early life, becoming a monk, US President Donald Trump, the path to peace in Ukraine and the 2002 Gujarat riots.

In the PM Modi said that through RSS he found a life of purpose and added that he feels blessed to gain life's values from such a sacred organisation.

The prime minister said his childhood was spent in extreme poverty and he recalled how he collected used chalk in school to polish his white canvas shoes.

Speaking on the 2002 riots in Gujarat, the prime minister said that the Godhra violence was a tragedy of "unimaginable magnitude", adding that people were burnt alive.

He said that the perception that these were the biggest riots ever is misinformation and added that there was over 250 significant riots in Gujarat before 2002. 

"On February 24, 2002, I became a State Representative, an elected representative, for the first time. And it was only around February 24th, 25th, or 26th that I stepped into the Gujarat Assembly for the very first time. On February 27, 2002, we were seated in the assembly for the budget session...when suddenly, the horrific Godhra incident occurred. It was a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude, people were burned alive," PM Modi said in the podcast.

"You can imagine, against the backdrop of incidents like the Kandahar hijacking, the attack on Parliament, or even 9/11, and then to have so many people killed and burned alive, you can imagine how tense and volatile the situation was. Of course, this was tragic for everyone, everyone prefers peace. The perception that these were the biggest riots ever is actually misinformation. If you review the data from before 2002, you'll see that Gujarat faced frequent riots, curfews were constantly being imposed somewhere," he added.

PM Modi said that communal violence used to erupt in Gujarat over trivial issues, like kite-flying contests or even minor bicycle collisions.

"Before 2002, Gujarat witnessed over 250 significant riots. The riots in 1969 lasted nearly six months. So there was a long history long before I was in the picture. But that one tragic incident in 2002 became a sparking point, leading some people towards violence. Yet, the judiciary thoroughly investigated the matter," he added.

The prime minister said his political opponents were in power at the Centre when the violence took place and they were keen to see him punished over the allegations.

"At that time, our political opponents were in power, and naturally they wanted all allegations against us to stick. They wanted to see us punished. Despite their relentless efforts, the judiciary analysed the situation meticulously twice and ultimately found us completely innocent," Modi said. 

PM Modi Says Gujarat Riots Happened In Backdrop Of Major Events

The prime minister said that the 2002 riots in Gujarat came in the backdrop of major events that preceeded 1-2 years before the violence.

"I'd like to paint you a clearer picture of the 12 to 15 months leading up to that, so you can fully understand the atmosphere of that time. For instance, take December 24, 1999, roughly three years earlier: An Indian flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked, redirected to Afghanistan, and landed in Kandahar. Hundreds of Indian passengers were held hostage...Then, in the year 2000, the Red Fort in Delhi was attacked by terrorists...On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers in America faced a devastating terror attack, once again shocking the entire world. Because ultimately, the people behind these attacks are driven by a similar mindset. Then, in October 2001, terrorists attacked the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly," PM Modi said.

"Soon after, on December 13, 2001, India’s Parliament was targeted. Within just 8 to 10 months, these major global terrorist attacks took place, violent incidents that led to bloodshed and the loss of innocent lives. In such a tense environment, even the smallest spark can ignite unrest," the prime minister said, adding that he took charge as CM under such circumstances on October 7, 2001.   

Published at : 16 Mar 2025 06:25 PM (IST)
Tags :
Gujarat Riots PM Modi Gujarat NARENDRA MODI

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