India, March 16 -- In a candid conversation with Lex Fridman on his podcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened up about the 2002 Godhra train burning incident and the subsequent riots in Gujarat. The discussion, which delved into Modi's early political career and governance approach, also addressed the widespread criticism he faced in the aftermath of the violence.

Recalling the events of February 2002, Modi highlighted how the tragedy unfolded just three days after he became an elected representative for the first time. "I stepped into the Gujarat Assembly for the first time around February 24th or 25th, and on February 27, the horrific Godhra incident occurred," he stated, referencing the burning of the Sabarmati Express, which claim...