Narendra Modi

On Science

Ancient Indians invented plastic surgery

'We worship Lord Ganesha. There must have been some plastic surgeon at that time who got an elephant’s head on the body of a human being and began the practice of plastic surgery.' (11/25/2014) [1]

Ancient Indians possessed genetic science

'We all read about Karna in the Mahabharata. If we think a little more, we realise that the Mahabharata says Karna was not born from his mother’s womb. This means that genetic science was present at that time. That is why Karna could be born outside his mother’s womb.' (11/25/2014) [2]

Indians used to be snake charmers, now are mouse charmers...

'From snake-charmers, we are now a nation of mouse-charmers. Our youngsters are shaping the world with the click of a mouse with their feats in the IT sector.' (6/2/2013) [3]

On religious minorities

In an interview to a Muslim newspaper

'Your mouths are watering these days at the prospect of creating a Muslim-majority nation in the name of Akhand Bharat (Greater India). And getting all Muslims together, with the Indian Muslims at their head, to create strife. Isn’t this a dream of yours?' (8/3/2014) [4]

Asked if he was pained by the deaths of Muslims in anti-Muslim riots in his home state during his run as Chief Minister

'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 it be painful or not? Of course it is.' (12/7/2013) [5]

Untouchable caste members are scavengers by choice

'At some point of time, somebody must have got the enlightenment that it is their (Valmiks’) duty to work for the happiness of the entire society and the Gods; that they have to do this job bestowed upon them by Gods; and that this job of cleaning up should continue as an internal spiritual activity for centuries. This should have continued generation after generation. It is impossible to believe that their ancestors did not have the choice of adopting any other work or business.' (11/24/2007) [6]

On women

Bangladeshi Prime Minister is courageous for fighting terrorism, despite being a woman

'I am happy that the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, despite being a woman, is openly saying that she has zero tolerance for terrorism.' (6/8/2015) [7]

Malnutrition is because women don't want to get fat

'If a mother tells her daughter to have milk, they’ll have a fight. She’ll tell her mother, 'I won’t drink milk. I’ll get fat.' (8/29/2012) [8]