New Delhi, Feb 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on critics of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, accusing them of harboring a “mentality of slavery” and aligning with foreign forces seeking to weaken the country.
Addressing a public gathering in Chhattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, PM Modi alleged that certain political leaders consistently mock religion and attempt to create divisions within society. “For centuries, people who despise the Hindu faith have existed in different forms. Those trapped in a slave mentality repeatedly target our faith, beliefs, temples, religion, culture, and values,” he remarked.
He further accused these individuals of undermining India’s religious traditions. “They insult our festivals, customs, and traditions, openly attacking a culture that is inherently progressive. Their agenda is to divide society and disrupt its unity,” he added.
The Maha Kumbh has become a focal point of political debate, with the Opposition raising concerns over recent incidents, including a stampede that claimed 18 lives and reports of water contamination at the Sangam. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had sparked controversy in Parliament with his remarks paying “tribute to the thousands who died in Kumbh.”
Samajwadi Party leader Jaya Bachchan also alleged that the bodies of stampede victims were “being thrown into the river,” while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee referred to the religious gathering as “Mrityu Kumbh” (Death Kumbh), citing casualties. Her remarks received support from the Shankaracharya of Uttarakhand’s Jyotish Peeth.
Adding to the criticism, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the scale and expenditure of the Maha Kumbh, further intensifying the political debate surrounding the event.
