Andhra Pradesh

BJP flays Kanchi seer's arrest

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, NOV. 12. The Bharatiya Janata Party has accused the Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu Governments of hatching a conspiracy, which led to the midnight arrest of Kanchi Kamakoti Peethadhipathi Jayendra Saraswati at Mahabubnagar.

Speaking to reporters here after a visit to Mahabubnagar to call on Swamy Vijayendra Saraswati, the BJP president, N. Indrasena Reddy, and the vice-president, S.V. Seshagiri Rao, took exception to the manner in which the Kanchi seer was arrested.

Describing the incident as unfortunate and an insult to Hindus, the BJP leaders urged the President to intervene and ensure the immediate release of the Swamji.

Mr. Reddy accused the Congress and AIADMK Governments of hatching a conspiracy to arrest the seer on the eve of Deepavali. He asked what compelled the police of the two States to arrest the seer in haste.

Charge against YSR

The Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, also had a role in the arrest, the BJP leader charged.

Mr. Indrasena Reddy pointed out that the Hindus would not tolerate the humiliation meted out to the Swamiji.

"The Kanchi seer is a respected figure and commands `Z' category security and is always escorted by police," he said, adding that, "police could have taken him into custody after he reached Chennai." Mr. Reddy said that a BJP delegation led by him called on Vijayendra Saraswati in Mahabubnagar today and enquired about the incident. He said the Swami narrated how the police behaved in a rude manner and bundled the senior pontiff into a van on the pretext that they had to discuss some urgent matter.

The Swami's followers were told that he would be sent back from Hyderabad, he pointed out.

The police midway through the journey told the Swami that he was under arrest in connection with a murder case, the BJP leader said.

The police had gathered in large numbers at Surya Laxmi spinning mills where the Swami was participating in a religious programme.

The disciples, who questioned the presence of the police, were told that security had been tightened following ISI threat to the Swami, he added.

Our Mahabubnagar correspondent adds: Swamy Vijayendra Saraswati refused to speak to the media. When Mr. Indrasena Reddy told him that a large contingent of the media had been waiting since morning for an interview, the Swamiji reportedly said people, disciples and trust members would reply to queries and he had nothing to say.

Asked about the reaction of Vijayendra Saraswati to the arrest, the BJP leader said the seer was depressed.

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