Narendra Modi's 'puppy comment' kicks up political storm over 2002 Gujarat riots

“Another thing, any person if we are driving a car, we are a driver, and someone else is driving a car and we're sitting behind, even then if a puppy comes under the wheel, will be painful or not?  Of course, it is. If I'm a chief minister or not, I'm a human being. If something bad happens anywhere, it is natural to be sad,” Modi said.



Answering a question about being regarded as a polarising figure, Modi cited the example of Democrats and Republicans in the US to emphasise that polarisation was “democracy's basic nature”.

Asked whether he believed India should have a secular leader, the Chief Minister said, “we do believe that. But what is the definition of secularism? For me, my secularism is, India first. I say the philosophy of my party is ‘justice to all, appeasement of none'. This is our secularism..” To a question about criticism that he was an authoritarian, he said, “if you call yourself a leader, then you have to be decisive. If you are decisive, then you have the chance to be a leader. These are two sides to the same coin.