Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday appeared to swat away the allegations of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Akhilesh Yadav during the Constitution debate in Parliament that he was casteist, anti-Muslim and anti-poor, painting a picture of inclusivity by referring to sadhus and sanitation workers at an event in Allahabad and pointing to the syncretic nature of the upcoming Mahakumbh.

After inaugurating 167 development projects worth ₹5,500 crore for the upcoming Mahakumbh, Modi termed it “a mahayagna of unity”, emphasising the event’s role in promoting social cohesion.

The Mahakumbh will be held from January 13 to February 26.

“Such a power of unity, such a congregation is not seen anywhere else. Saint, rishi, enlightened, scholar and the common man become one here and take a holy dip in the Triveni,” Modi said at the event at Sangam.

The Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.

“The difference of caste vanishes here, the conflict of religion is erased,” Modi said, adding: “Crores of people from different states will gather here. Their castes will be different, language will be different, belief will be different, but they will become one in the Sangam city.”

“I repeat that the Mahakumbh is a mahayagna of unity,” Modi added. “The oblation of all discriminations is done here.”

Modi said the government was also developing Allahabad’s Sringverpur Dham, described in the Ramayana as the meeting point between a boatman and Ram.

“I bow to the sadhus-saints who would visit the Mahakumbh. I especially welcome those workers, labourers and cleaning staff who are working day and night to make the Mahakumbh successful,” Modi said.

“We are focusing on waste management and sanitation in Prayagraj (Allahabad). We have appointed Ganga Doots (messengers of the Ganga), Ganga Praharis (protectors of the Ganga) and Ganga Mitras (friends of the Ganga) to make people aware. My 15,000 cleaning staff brothers and sisters would keep the area clean. I express my gratitude in advance to my brothers and sisters who are conservancy staff,” he said.

It is mainly the Dalits who work as sanitation workers.

The Congress has been demanding a caste census that it says will give an accurate picture of the socio-economic position of the communities. Earlier on Friday, Priyanka and Akhilesh accused the Modi government of diverting attention from a caste census by resorting to hatred and divisiveness.