The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Acharyas concerned at situation in Mutt, says Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 18, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Acharyas concerned at situation in Mutt, says Fernandes

By Our Staff Reporter

KANCHEEPURAM, NOV.17. The situation in which the Kanchi Sankara Mutt is functioning now has caused concern to both the Acharyas, the National Democratic Alliance convener, George Fernandes, said today.

Talking to reporters at the Mutt, after a brief meeting with Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi, he said the junior Acharya made enquiries about the health of the senior Acharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, lodged in the Vellore Central Prison in connection with a murder case. Mr. Fernandes met Sri Jayendra Saraswathi yesterday.

"Like the senior Acharya, the junior is also concerned with the kind of situation the Mutt finds itself in."

Charge against police

Stating that the events that unfolded on Deepavali night deeply hurt the followers of the Mutt, Mr. Fernandes claimed that the police made no effort to put across the case before anyone effectively other than leaking certain information on who would be called for interrogation that day or the next day. It was learnt that even in the prosecution affidavit nothing was mentioned of any interrogation and what exactly the police had so far discovered. "These are the points which made everyone, including me, upset," said Mr. Fernandes.

Reiterating that there was a total violation of human rights in the arrest of the seer, he said whoever was responsible for this should be made accountable. "I hope things will be set right at the earliest."

To a question whether the NDA would prevent its alliance partners organising any agitation or demonstrations protesting the arrest, Mr. Fernandes said it did not wield any authority over the allies and they could act on their own.

"As far as the NDA is concerned, it has nothing to do in this issue. I have came here meet the junior Acharya since I knew him from the date he took over as `Bala Periyavar'," he said.

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