People in general are misled by blind leaders. The leaders of human society — the politicians, philosophers and scientists — are blind because they are not Krsna conscious. According to Bhagavad-gita, because they are bereft of all factual knowledge due to their atheistic way of life, they are actually sinful rascals and are the lowest among men.

na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta jnana-
asuram bhavam asritah

“Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons, do not surrender unto Me.” (Bg. 7.15)

Such people never surrender to Krsna, and they oppose the endeavor of those who wish to take Krsna’s shelter. When such atheists become leaders of society, the entire atmosphere is surcharged with nescience. In such a condition, people do not become very enthusiastic to receive this Krsna consciousness movement, just as a diseased person suffering from jaundice does not relish the taste of sugar candy.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to NoI Verse 7