Hang me if I'm guilty in 2002 Gujarat riots: Narendra Modi

A rare statement came from Gujarat Chief Narendra Modi. He told Samajwadi Party's Shahid Siddiqui in an interview for the Urdu weekly 'Nai Duniya' that he is ready to be hanged if found guilty in connection with the 2002 Gujarat riots.

According to the paper, Modi said the media and his detractors owe him an apology if and when he is found not guilty. Siddiqui maintains he did the interview as a journalist and not as a Samajwadi Party leader, and that no political motives should be attached to it.

"I also asked him that why doesn't he apologise if Sonia ji, Rajeev Gandhi can apologise. He said if I am the culprit then I shall be hanged and not apologise," Shahid Siddiqui said.