Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 2002 Gujarat Riots: A Detailed Account in Interview with Lex Fridman:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a conversation with AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, shared a detailed account of the incidents that preceded the 2002 Gujarat riots. Modi provided historical context, tracing back events that shaped the atmosphere in the country before the riots occurred.

Political and Security Turmoil Before 2002

During the interview, PM Modi was asked about the broader lessons he learned from that period. In response, he explained the situation India faced in the years leading up to 2002.

On December 24, 1999, an Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Delhi was hijacked and redirected to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where hundreds of Indian passengers were held hostage. This event created nationwide fear and instability.
In 2000, terrorists launched an attack on the Red Fort in Delhi, escalating national security concerns.
The 9/11 attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001, further intensified global fears about terrorism.
On October 1, 2001, terrorists targeted the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.
On December 13, 2001, India’s Parliament was attacked, marking one of the most significant security breaches in the nation’s history.

According to PM Modi, these incidents created a highly volatile and tense environment across the country, making even small incidents capable of triggering unrest.

Modi’s Appointment as Gujarat Chief Minister Amid Crisis

PM Modi highlighted that on October 7, 2001, he was appointed as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. At that time, Gujarat was still recovering from a massive earthquake that had devastated the state. His primary focus was on rehabilitation and rebuilding efforts.

Modi also pointed out that he had no prior experience in governance before becoming CM:

He had never contested elections before.
On February 24, 2002, he was elected as a state representative for the first time.
Around February 24-26, he entered the Gujarat Assembly for the first time.

Just a few days after assuming office as an elected representative, an incident occurred that changed the course of events in Gujarat.

The Godhra Incident and its Aftermath

On February 27, 2002, just three days after Modi became a state representative, the Godhra train burning incident took place. PM Modi described it as a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude, where several passengers were burned alive.

He highlighted the tense national backdrop, linking the Kandahar hijacking, Parliament attack, and 9/11 to the environment that shaped public sentiment at the time. He also rejected the claim that the 2002 riots were the worst in Gujarat’s history, labeling such assertions as misinformation.

A Long History of Riots in Gujarat

PM Modi noted that communal riots were common in Gujarat long before 2002. He cited data indicating that before his tenure:

Over 250 significant riots had occurred in Gujarat.
The 1969 riots lasted nearly six months.
Even minor incidents, such as kite-flying contests or bicycle collisions, had previously triggered communal violence.
Curfews were frequently imposed across the state due to unrest.

PM Modi emphasized that the judiciary thoroughly investigated the 2002 riots. He stated that despite political opposition and allegations, the courts conducted a meticulous examination and ultimately found him innocent. He asserted that those responsible for the violence faced justice through legal proceedings.