New Delhi, March 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dismissed the perception that the 2002 Gujarat riots were the “biggest,” calling it a case of “misinformation.” In a recent interview, PM Modi asserted that attempts have been made to exaggerate the scale of the violence for political motives.
“The 2002 riots were tragic, and the loss of lives was unfortunate. But branding them as the ‘biggest’ is misinformation spread by vested interests,” Modi stated. He emphasized that India has witnessed several instances of communal violence in its history, many of which had a larger scale and more casualties.
The remarks come in response to persistent debates over the Gujarat riots, which occurred during Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister. While the Supreme Court has cleared him of any wrongdoing, political opponents continue to raise the issue.
Supporters of the Prime Minister argue that his leadership transformed Gujarat into an economic powerhouse post-2002, while critics claim that justice for the victims remains incomplete.
With the 2024 elections approaching, Modi’s statement is expected to reignite discussions around the riots, their political implications, and the larger narrative of governance and accountability.