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Those with slave mentality attacking our beliefs, religion with foreign support: PM Modi

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.

“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,” Modi said. (PTI Photo)

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.

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“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”.

Those of slave mentality mock our religion, often with foreign support: PM

PM Narendra Modi with MP CM Mohan Yadav (right) and Bageshwar Dham chief priest Dhirendra Shastri, Sunday. (PTI)

“In this very Maha Kumbh, numerous social service projects are being carried out. It’s hard for the media to pay attention to them, and they haven’t garnered much discussion either. But I’d like to highlight one — in this Maha Kumbh of unity, a Netra Maha Kumbh (Eye Maha Kumbh) is taking place. In this Netra Maha Kumbh, pilgrims from every corner of the country, especially people from poor families, are getting their eyes tested for free,” he said.

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Modi said that while over 2 lakh have had their eyes examined so far, about “one-and-a-half lakh people have received free medicines and spectacles”.

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The Bageshwar Dham Medical and Science Research Institute, to be built across 10 acres with an estimated cost of over Rs 200 crore, will be equipped with 100 beds, offering free treatment to underprivileged cancer patients. Bageshwar Dham chief priest Dhirender Shastri was among those present at the event.

Addressing him, Modi said: “In this environment, my younger brother, Dhirendra Shastri ji, has been awakening people across the country with the mantra of unity for quite some time. Now, he has taken yet another resolve in the interest of society and humanity… He has decided to build this cancer institute. This means that here at Bageshwar Dham, you will now receive the blessings of devotion, sustenance and a healthy life.”

Highlighting efforts made by his government in fighting cancer, Modi said cancer daycare centres would be opened across all districts in the next three years.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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Narendra Modi