Targeting The Opposition parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said a section of leaders with “slave mentality” are engaged in mocking religion and dividing people, “with the support of foreign powers”, to weaken the nation and its faith.

Modi made the comments after laying the foundation stone of the Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district on Sunday. His remarks come amid criticism from the Opposition over the stampede at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj last month.

“Nowadays, we observe that there is a section of leaders who mock religion, ridicule it, and are engaged in dividing people. Often, foreign powers also seem to support these individuals in their attempts to weaken the nation and its faith,” Modi said.

“These people, who harbor hatred toward Hindu beliefs, have existed for centuries in one guise or another. These people with slave mentality (gulami ki mansikta) attack our beliefs, temples, saintly culture and principles. They insult our festivals, traditions and customs. They dare to sling mud at a religion and culture that is inherently progressive. Their agenda is to divide our society and break its unity,” he said.

“These days, we are seeing discussions about the Maha Kumbh everywhere,” Modi said. Underlining the religious significance of the Maha Kumbh, he praised sanitation workers and police personnel who “won the hearts of the people”.

“This is the great Kumbh of unity where thousands of doctors and volunteers work with dedication and the spirit of service. People visiting the great Kumbh of unity appreciate these efforts,” he said.