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

“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”.

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

“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.

“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.

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”.

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.