Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out against the Opposition on Sunday for reportedly mocking and targeting religious traditions in order to divide society. His remarks followed amid a row after several criticisms by multiple oppositions leaders on Maha Kumbh Mela.
While addressing a gathering in the Chhattarpur district of Madhya Pradesh, the Prime Minister launched an attack on politicians who, mock faith and cultural practices. He labeled these individuals as having a “slave mentality” that undermines India’s rich religious heritage.
“Nowadays, we see that there is a group of leaders who mock religion, ridicule it, are engaged in dividing people and many times foreign powers also try to weaken the country and religion by supporting these people. People who hate the Hindu faith have been living in some phase or the other for centuries,” PM Modi said without quoting any names, news agency PTI reported.
VIDEO | PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, “Nowadays we see that a group of leaders mock religion, divide people, and often receive support from foreign powers to weaken the nation and faith. For centuries, those who hate Hinduism have attacked our beliefs, temples, culture, and… pic.twitter.com/R7UXE5VMrU
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) February 23, 2025
PM Modi Lauds Bageshwar Dham’s Spiritual Leadership
Additionally, PM Modi also launched a scathing attack on those targeting temples, traditions, and festivals, and emphasised that their agenda is to disrupt societal unity and bring disharmony. “They dare to attack a religion and culture that has always been progressive in nature. Dividing our society and breaking its unity is their motive,” he added.
In his address, PM Modi lauded Bageshwar Dham’s spiritual leader, Dhirendra Shastri, for fostering unity and announced a major healthcare initiative—a cancer institute at the religious site. He emphasized that Bageshwar Dham would now offer not just spiritual guidance but also crucial medical support.
“In this time, Dhirendra Shastri has been making people aware of the mantra of unity in the country for a long time. Now, he has reached another resolution in the interest of society and humanity. This is the plan to build this cancer institute. That means now, here in Bageshwar Dham, you will get the blessings of bhajan, food and healthy life,” PM Modi said.
Meanwhile, the BJP has strongly criticised opposition leaders for their remarks on the Maha Kumbh Mela. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to the sacred event as ‘Mrityu Kumbh,’ citing stampede-related deaths in Prayagraj and New Delhi.
Previously, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the scale and spending on the event. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that “thousands” had lost their lives in the stampedes. Rajya Sabha MP Jaya Bachchan alleged that dead bodies were thrown into the Ganga, while RJD leader Lalu Prasad Yadav dismissed the gathering as ‘useless.’
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