Bhopal, Feb. 24 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi slammed a section of leaders over their critical remarks on the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, saying those with "slave mentality" are engaged in mocking the country's religious and cultural traditions "with the support of foreign powers", to weaken the nation and its faith.

The Prime Minister - who was speaking after laying the foundation stone for Shree Bageshwar Medical Sciences and Research Institute, which will include a cancer hospital, at Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh - termed the world's largest religious gathering in Prayagraj as the "Maha Kumbh of Unity".

"These days, we see that there is a group of leaders who mock and ridicule our religion. They are bent upon breaking the unity ...