India, March 16 -- Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said religion should act as a unifying force in society and warned against growing casteism. Addressing an event at Sire Mandir in Rajasthan's Jalore district, Adityanath said that while the caste system was historically meant to organise society, casteism weakens the social fabric and divides the nation.

He alleged that previous governments had pursued politics based on caste, region and language, which weakened the country and contributed to issues such as unrest in Kashmir, Naxalism and social conflicts.

Adityanath said India was now moving towards becoming a major global power under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The country has been brought...