PM Modi breaks silence on 2002 Gujarat riots in rare Lex Fridman podcast: ‘Criticism doesn’t shake me, only truth matters’

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a nearly three-hour conversation with AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, released Sunday evening. The wide-ranging discussion covered governance, leadership, and Modi’s vision for India, but one of the most compelling moments came when Fridman broached the subject of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
Modi's reflection on 2002 riots
During the podcast, Fridman raised the topic of the Gujarat riots, a tragic episode of

sectarian violence

that led to over a thousand deaths. Acknowledging Modi’s tenure as Gujarat's chief minister at the time, Fridman asked what lessons the Prime Minister had drawn from the period, emphasizing that India’s Supreme Court had twice cleared Modi of any involvement in the violence.
PM Modi, rather than directly addressing the riots initially, took a broader historical perspective. He contextualized the volatile political and security environment preceding 2002, citing major terrorist attacks, including the 1999 Kandahar hijacking, the 2000 Red Fort attack, and the 2001 attack on India’s Parliament. He also pointed to Gujarat’s history of communal violence, noting that the state had experienced over 250 riots before 2002, some lasting months. However, he emphasized that in the 22 years since, Gujarat has not witnessed a single major riot.

“The perception that these were the biggest riots ever is actually misinformation,” PM Modi asserted, positioning his government’s actions as instrumental in bringing long-term peace to the state.
PM Modi on criticism: 'I welcome it'
Fridman followed up by asking Modi about his relationship with criticism, particularly from the media, which has frequently scrutinized his role in 2002. PM Modi responded with a philosophical approach, stating that he not only accepts criticism but considers it the “soul of democracy.”
“Our scriptures say: ‘Always keep your critics close,’ because through genuine criticism, you improve,” he said. However, he differentiated between true criticism and baseless allegations, arguing that much of what is labeled as criticism today lacks research and depth.
PM Modi contended that rather than engaging in rigorous analysis, many critics resort to shortcuts and sensationalism, making unfounded accusations instead of highlighting constructive weaknesses. “The references you’re giving,” he told Fridman, “they are allegations, not criticism.”
Gujarat’s transformation and India's path forward
Beyond the 2002 riots, PM Modi underscored his administration’s focus on development and governance. He credited his government for shifting the political discourse from “appeasement politics” to “aspirational politics,” a philosophy he believes has helped Gujarat and India progress.
“Together with everyone, development for all, trust from all, and efforts by everyone—this has been our mantra,” Modi said, reiterating his commitment to inclusive governance.