At a high-profile book launch in New Delhi, Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan opened up about his ideological about-turn on Narendra Modi, triggered by the 2002 Godhra events. Initially critical, four-plus months in riot-torn Gujarat flipped the script entirely.
Addressing the audience at Constitution Club for Alok Mehta’s ‘Revolutionary Raj: Narendra Modi’s 25 Years’, Khan reflected: ‘Godhra unrest made me a Modi skeptic. But community dialogues during my extended stay changed that forever.’
He lambasted the ‘unfair tarnishing’ of Modi’s image, calling him profoundly misjudged amid accusations. This realization, post-four months, spurred Khan to advocate publicly.
Modi’s traits shone through: determination, composure, tireless pursuit. Amit Shah-prefaced, the volume traces Modi’s CM-to-PM trajectory over 25 years.
Khan applauded the 2019 triple talaq criminalization, a world-first reform. ‘In 50 years, global recognition awaits this profound contribution,’ he envisioned.
Notable guests included Hardeep Singh Puri, Harivansh Narayan Singh, N.K. Singh, and K.J. Alphons. Puri detailed India’s surge: $2 trillion in 2014 (among weakest) to $4.3 trillion now (fourth strongest), third per IMF soon.
Tying into AI Impact Summit, Puri affirmed India’s remarkable trajectory. Khan’s testimony bridges divides, emphasizing experiential wisdom over media echo chambers.