CHATTARPUR (MP): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday slammed a section of leaders over their critical remarks on Maha Kumbh, saying those with “slave mentality” keep attacking the country’s religious and cultural traditions with the backing of foreign powers.
Modi termed the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj as the “Maha Kumbh of Unity” after laying the foundation stone for Shree Bageshwar Medical Sciences And Research Institute, which will include a cancer hospital, at Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh.
Bageshwar Dham is a prominent religious site associated with Lord Hanuman, frequented by thousands of people.
“These days we see that there is a group of leaders who mock and ridicule our religion. They are bent upon breaking the unit and are engaged in dividing people.
“Many times, foreign powers too are seen trying to weaken the country and religion by supporting these people,” Modi said.
Modi’s remarks come amid a row over West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee dubbing Maha Kumbh as Mrityu Kumbh citing mismanagement and incidents of stampede. She had also accused the authorities of suppressing the death toll.
Modi said the haters of the Hindu faith have been living in different disguises for centuries.
“These people with slave mentality attack our beliefs, temples, saints, culture and traditions. These people abuse our festivals, traditions, and beliefs,” he said.
Modi further said the agenda of this section was to break the society and unity of the country.
“They have the audacity of throwing slush at our religion and culture which is intrinsically progressive,” he added.
Modi underlined the religious significance of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj which is taking place after 144 years.
He praised ‘safai karmis’ (sanitation workers) and police personnel for doing a great job in making the Maha Kumbh a successful event.
“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.
Modi also hailed services rendered by ophthalmologists to the needy people at the mega religious congregation attended by crores.
He said for ages, Hindu mutts, dhaams and temples have been serving as the centres of worship and belief and also for science and research.
“Hindu seers imparted the knowledge of yoga and science. The world is following Yoga. Yoga has made the country proud and making our flag fly high,” he said.
The PM said he always worked with the principle of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikaas’ and has added the vow of ‘sabka ilaaj and sabko aarogya’.
Highlighting efforts made by his government in fighting cancer, Modi said cancer daycare centres will be opened in all districts of the country in the next three years.
He pointed to Budgetary announcements aimed at fighting cancer and the decision to make cancer medicines cheaper.
“Modi is your son, and I will continue to serve you all,” the PM added.
The cancer hospital, to be set up under Shree Bageshwar Medical Sciences And Research Institute, is the brainchild of self-styled godman Dhirendra Shastri, the Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham.
Modi said the 100-bed cancer hospital will come up on 10 acres in the first phase over the next two years, with a cost of Rs 218 crore.
The prime minister praised Dhirendra Shastri, saying he has undertaken another important initiative to serve people, the poor, and cancer patients through this modern cancer hospital, which will be constructed in an area in the impoverished Bundelkhand region.
MP Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Shastri also addressed the gathering.
In his speech, Trump also accused India of taking advantage of the US.
“Eighteen million dollars for helping India with its elections. Why the hell? Why don’t we just go to old paper ballots, and let them help us with their elections, right? Voter ID. Wouldn’t that be nice? We’re giving money to India for elections. They don’t need money,” he said.
“They take advantage of us pretty good. One of the highest tariff nations in the world…We have a 200 per cent (tariffs) there and then we’re giving them a lot of money to help them with their election,” Trump said.
Trump also criticised the USAID for giving USD 29 million to Bangladesh.
“USD 29 million goes to strengthen the political landscape and help them out so that they can vote for a radical left communist in Bangladesh,” he said, without naming anyone.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that USAID under the previous administration led by Joe Biden allocated USD 21 million in funding to India for “voter turnout”, sparking a row in the country over the assistance.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the information put out by the Trump administration people is “concerning” and that the government is looking into it.
During an interaction at an event in New Delhi, he also said the USAID was allowed in India “in good faith, to do good faith activities”, and suggestions are being made out of America that “there are activities which are in bad faith”.
“So, it surely warrants a look. And, if there is something to it, I think the country should know who are the people involved in the bad faith activities,” the external affairs minister said.
The Congress party on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “talk to his friend” and strongly refute the allegation.
Those with slave mentality mock India’s religious beliefs: Modi
