New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second podcast, a three-hour interview with AI researcher and podcaster Lex Fridman, was out on Sunday.
“It was one of the most moving & powerful conversations and experiences of my life,” Fridman wrote on X, sharing the link.
The conversation covered a wide range of topics, starting from the significance of fasting, Mahatma Gandhi, Godhra riots etc.
Asked about the infamous 2002 communal riots in Godhra, Modi dismissed the ‘fake narrative’ built around the incident, claiming that there had been more than 250 major riots in Gujarat before 2002, including one in 1969 that lasted over six months.
Since 2002, Modi said Gujarat has not seen any major riot because of his administration’s focus on governance, and not vote-bank politics.
The Indian PM Modi said that the then-Central government wanted him jailed, but ultimately justice prevailed and he was acquitted.
“In Gujarat where there used to be many riots in a year, there has been no major riot after 2002. We do not do vote bank politics, we do the politics of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,” he said.
Considering the global rise in terrorism and violence during that period, Modi suggested that Gujarat’s stability post-2002 is a testament to his government’s approach.
“My strength lies not in my name but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians… Whenever we speak of peace, the world listens to us because India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha,” he said.
“When I shake hands with world leaders, it’s not Modi but 1.4 billion Indians doing so. My strength lies not in my name but in the backing of 1.4 billion Indians and the country’s timeless culture and heritage. Whenever we speak of peace, the world listens to us because India is the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Gautama Buddha,” Modi stated.
Highlighting Gandhi ji’s ability to transform India’s freedom struggle into a Jan Andolan by recognising the power of Jan Shakti, Modi said: “He shared that in his own approach, he always strives to involve as many people as possible in every initiative, turning it into a mass movement with Jan Bhagidari.”
Modi went on to say that Mahatma Gandhi is the greatest leader of the 20th century and also 21st century and upcoming centuries.
