Mahant Gyan Das, the chief priest of the Kapil Muni Ashram, on Monday said Narendra Modi and Amit Shah were “dividing” and “dismembering” the country.

Asked by a journalist whether he thought citizenship thrusts by the BJP government at the Centre were a “deliberate attempt to divide” the nation, the priest said: “Modiji and Amit Shahji can give you the response to these questions. Ask the ones who are wrecking this country.”

Das was accompanying chief minister Mamata Banerjee during her interaction with the journalists during her visit to the ashram.

Das’s condemnation of the BJP’s citizenship initiatives were significant as the criticism came from a Hindu priest heading a ashram deemed among the holiest in India. The condemnation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which is being touted as Hindu-friendly, would add to the awkward position the BJP seems to have found itself in since the passage of the CAA last month.

“We say that all in this Creation is one, so who are they to divide... They are not just dividing, they are also dismembering,” said the elderly priest who received Mamata at the steps of the ashram around 4pm on Monday.

Mamata was at Sagar Island to monitor preparations for the week-long Gangasagar Mela set to begin on January 11.

Lakhs gather at Sagar Island during this time of the year for a holy dip at the confluence of the Hooghly river with the Bay of Bengal, following which they offer prayers at the ashram.

On the inclusive nature of the fair and its global fame, Das said: “This pilgrimage does not discriminate on the basis of religion or caste.”

Das then praised Mamata for “her humanitarian and developmental works”.

“I will always bless Mamata for her success. She always works for the betterment of people. It is because of her developmental work that you can now easily come to Gangasagar every year,” the priest added.

Earlier in the day, the chief minister had ordered the civil and police administration to stay alert and ensure adequate CCTV coverage of the entire Mela ahead of Makar Sankranti, warning them of “politically-motivated disturbances”.

Meeting the officials at Kakdwip in South 24-Parganas, Mamata said some might be looking to cause trouble at the weeklong mega fair.