Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a podcast with US-based AI researcher Lex Fridman on Sunday, compared the 2002 Godhra train burning to the 9/11 attacks, calling it a tragedy of “unimaginable magnitude” that fueled widespread outrage.

Reflecting on the incident that killed 59 people, including women and children, Modi suggested it was a pivotal spark for the ensuing Gujarat riots. “That one tragic incident in 2002 became a sparking point, leading some people towards violence,” he said.

Recalling the volatile backdrop, Modi noted, “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. Of course, this was tragic for everyone. Everyone prefers peace.”

He recounted receiving news of the Godhra carnage during a Gujarat Assembly budget session, just three days into his tenure as a state representative. “It was a tragedy of unimaginable magnitude, people were burned alive,” he said.

Modi, who became Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, framed the riots within a broader context of global unrest. “Within just eight to 10 months, these major global terrorist attacks took place… In such a tense environment, even the smallest spark can ignite unrest,” he explained, highlighting the challenges he faced early in his leadership.

Recently, Modi had praised The Sabarmati Report, a film depicting the Godhra incident—where a mob torched the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express—for “revealing the truth,” underscoring his view of its enduring significance.