Date:26/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/11/26/stories/2004112605331100.htm

International - India & World

Concern over 'manner of arrest'

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, NOV. 25. The Association of United Hindu and Jain Temples has expressed concern at the "manner" in which the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswathi, has been arrested in a murder case.

In a letter to the Indian Ambassador to the United States, Ronen Sen, it has demanded the Acharya's immediate release and an impartial enquiry to nab the real killers. It has sent copies of its petition to the President of India and the Vice-President, the Minister for Human Resource Development, the Finance Minister and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

"It is unimaginable that in the largest democracy in the world, he (the Sankaracharya) is treated as the worst among criminals even before trial...It is evident that the whole incident could very well be a conspiracy by groups who are jealous of the rise of the Kamakoti Peetam as a citadel of Santhana Dharma and a force to reckon with in the spiritual world," it said.

"We, the Hindus living abroad, are disappointed, outraged and concerned at what has happened in the State of Tamil Nadu," it said.

The association has demanded that the Sankara Mutt be allowed to function normally, the identity of the individuals and groups behind this `injustice' established, an impartial and unbiased enquiry ordered to arrest the real killers and speedy trial of those responsible for the killing of Sankararaman, manager of the Varadarajaperumal temple in Kancheepuram.