False narrative created over 2002 Gujarat riots, courts found us innocent: PM Modi tells podcaster Lex Fridman

In a podcast with Lex Fridman, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the discourse around the 2002 post-Godhra riots in Gujarat was an attempt to create a false narrative and his political opponents in power at the Centre wanted him to be punished but the courts cleared his name.

Modi said the perception that the 2002 riots were the biggest riots ever in Gujarat was an attempt to push misinformation. "If you review the data from before 2002, you will see that Gujarat faced frequent riots. Curfews were constantly being imposed somewhere. Communal violence would erupt over trivial issues such as kite-flying contests or even bicycle collisions," Modi said.

The PM said the riots in Gujarat in 1969 lasted for over six months and that was an era when he was nowhere on the political horizon.

Modi said the Godhra train burning incident took place barely three days after he was elected as a legislator of the Gujarat Assembly. "It was a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude; people were burned alive. 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," he said.

Modi, who was the Gujarat Chief Minister at that time, said the incident at Godhra was the sparking point and violence took place. He said that a fake narrative was spread regarding the case. "But, the courts investigated the matter thoroughly and found us completely innocent. Those who were truly responsible have faced justice from the courts," he said.

"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 twice and ultimately found us completely innocent," Modi said.

"Over the past 22 years, there hasn't been a single major riot in Gujarat. The state remains completely peaceful," Modi said.

"Our mantra has been, ‘sabka saath sabka vikas aur sabka prayas’. We have moved away from the politics of appeasement practised by our predecessors to the politics of aspiration," he said.

Blessed to have learnt life's values from RSS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he feels blessed to have learnt life's values from a "sacred" organisation like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), lauding it for working since 1925 to inspire people to dedicate themselves to the country.

In the podcast, Modi said the RSS gave him the purpose of his life, noting that its different affiliates are involved in numerous fields with every section of society.

A former RSS 'pracharak' himself before moving over to the BJP, Modi said he was drawn to the Hindutva organisation at a young age as he was touched deeply by patriotic songs sung at its 'shakha' near his home in Gujarat.

Whatever one does, one should work for the country, he said, speaking of the RSS philosophy. "I have not heard if there is any voluntary organisation as big as the RSS." It teaches that the country is supreme and serving people is like serving God, he said. "I feel blessed to have got values from such a sacred organisation," he said.

The Hindutva organisation has devoted itself to its cause with the dedication of a seeker while keeping away from attention in its 100 years of journey, he said. It inspires people to work for the society, he said, citing extensive work of organisations like Seva Bharti, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh.

Another RSS affiliate Vidya Bharti runs nearly 25,000 schools and crores of students have received education at an affordable cost, he said.

The PM said while leftist unions ask workers to unite so that they can then deal with others, the RSS-inspired labour union asks its workers to unite the world.

Every noble attempt for peace with Pakistan met with hostility, betrayal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that every attempt to foster peace with Pakistan was met with hostility and betrayal and hoped that wisdom would prevail on the leadership in Islamabad to improve bilateral ties.

In the podcast released on Sunday, Modi recalled that he had specially invited his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony in 2014 with the hope that the two countries could turn a new leaf.

“Yet, every noble attempt at fostering peace was met with hostility and betrayal. We sincerely hope that wisdom prevails upon them and they choose the path of peace,” the Prime Minister said in his over three-hour interaction.

Modi said he believed that even the people of Pakistan long for peace because they also must be tired of living in strife, unrest and relentless terror where even innocent children are killed and countless lives are destroyed.

The Prime Minister said his first attempt at improving bilateral relations was a gesture of goodwill.

“It was a diplomatic gesture unlike any in decades. The very people who once questioned my approach to foreign policy were taken aback when they learned I had invited all SAARC heads of state and our then President Pranab Mukherjee beautifully captured that historic gesture in his memoir,” Modi said.

“This was a testament to how clear and confident India’s foreign policy had become. This sent a clear message to the world about India’s commitment to peace and harmony, but we didn’t get the desired outcome,” he said.