Modi is reported to have said during the first phase of his yatra that 'those believing in multiplying the population should be taught a lesson'.

Modi's reported speeches also came under attack from the opposition parties. Congress party spokesman Anand Sharma said, "This is a warning not only to people of Gujarat, but to the entire country given the BJP-RSS claim that the state was a 'laboratory' and the experiment would be replicated all over India."

Describing it as 'vulgar diatribe' against the minorities, CPI said Modi's remarks had shown the BJP's aim of 'dividing and polarising' the communities and 'intimidating' minorities.