New Delhi/IBNS, Feb. 23 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday slammed the critics of the ongoing Maha Kumbh mela, equating them to "foreign powers who try to weaken the country" and said they have a "slave mentality".

Speaking at a public function in Chhattarpur, Madhya Pradesh, he said: "Nowadays we see that there is a group of leaders who mock religion, ridicule it, are engaged in dividing people and many times foreign powers also try to weaken the country and religion by supporting these people".

These people, he said, "abuse our festivals, traditions and customs".

"They dare to attack the religion and culture which is progressive by nature. Dividing our society and breaking its unity is their agenda," he added.

Congress chief Mal...