Slamming criticism of Maha Kumbh Mela by Opposition leaders, PM Narendra Modi said, "There's a section of leaders who mock religion...Often, foreign powers also seem to support these individuals." He added, "These people with slave mentality (gulami ki mansikta) attack our beliefs." Notably, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee had criticised arrangements at Maha Kumbh.