Date:31/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/31/stories/2004123101431004.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Sankaracharya case

Sir, — I refer to the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi's alleged involvement in the Sankararaman murder case and the reaction it has generated in various quarters. The line of demarcation between faith and superstition is very thin.

When people raise ordinary mortals to the rank of god, their faith gets betrayed resulting in frustration and anger. Indian history is full of examples of Rajgurus. When religious institutions get personified in human beings, power concentrates and corrupts.

The Hindu religious system is stable and the values of faith are strong.

Mettil A. Nandan,
Chennai