The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Kanchi Mutt issue

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Friday, Dec 03, 2004

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Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Kanchi Mutt issue

Sir, — This refers to the news that all suspicious deaths connected with the Kanchi Mutt, including some that occurred some years ago, will be probed. Were the police not aware of these deaths all these years? If yes, why did they not act then? Was it because the relatives of the victims did not suspect any foul play in the deaths? Or were they intimidated into silence? The police should clarify these doubts.

S.L. Narayanan,
Cuddalore, T.N.

Sir, — After the crumbling of evidence such as cell phone conversation and bank account, we now have the so-called voluntary confession of the Acharya which is no legal evidence. It is difficult to believe that a man who allegedly hired contract killers became so shattered that he confessed to murder in police custody.

S. Renganathan,
Thiruvananthapuram

Sir, — Sri Jayendra Saraswathi has been variously described by the media as high profile, influential and even among the most powerful in India. The assets of the Kanchi Mutt are being referred to as if they were his personal possessions, and every one of his past actions is being interpreted according to the new image that the media have decided to give him.

If he is found not guilty, will not the incident have inflicted irreparable damage on the Mutt? Will a devotee not feel demoralised and despondent about his faith?

Shailesh Kumar,
Bangalore

Sir, — If the Sankaracharya abdicates now, it would set the most unhealthy of precedents. It can be misused to destroy the reputation of seers and force them to abdicate. Religion in India would then become hostage to the whims and fancies of some.

S. Suchindranath Aiyer,
Bangalore

Sir, — The coverage of the issue on the Internet is fraught with careless use of words. It is time we had a press complaints commission to the notice of which such things can be brought.

R. Ramachandran,
Hounslow, U.K.

Sir, — While it is for the courts to decide whether or not the Acharya is guilty, it is unfortunate that he has given room for allegations. As the head of a religious mutt, he failed to restrict himself to his domain. This is not to say that the Acharya is guilty. But media reports certainly indicate his failure to uphold the principles of dharma.

L. Rangarajan,
Mumbai

Sir, — Money is the root cause of the Mutt's degeneration. Mutts should not venture into public administration such as building hospitals and schools. These activities involve money and monetary discipline, which are beyond a sanyasi's purview. A true sanyasi is expected to live on the `bhiksha' offered by his devotees.

A mutt is a holy institution meant to uphold spiritual values.

K. Vasudevan,
Hosur, T.N.

Sir, — The seer dabbled in extra-religious activities which cost him dearly. The episode is a blot on our ethos.

Rama Kant,
Rohtak, Haryana

Sir, — Despite the increasing number of allegations against the Acharya, those opposing his arrest seem to be in denial mode. Which is quite natural considering the prevalence of crime and corruption in society.

If arresting religious leaders is reprehensible, it should be remembered that they are expected to adorn the high pedestal of virtue and not walk the thin line that demarcates virtue and vice.

Thomas K. Mathai,
Mysore

Sir, — From day one of the Sankaracharya episode, the BJP and the sangh parivar have been trying to communalise the issue. Whether it is a seer, pir, moulvi or pandit, nobody is above the law.

Abdul Monim,
Mumbai

Sir, — The episode shows where excess wealth percolates, sanctity and peace are ruptured. Though nothing has been proved against the Acharya so far, the image of the Mutt has been tarnished.

K. Shivashankar,
Chennai

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