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

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Friday, Dec 10, 2004

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Kanchi Mutt issue

Sir, — One question that is predominant in the minds of all the devotees is: If we cannot trust the Sankaracharya, who else can we trust? A Sankaracharya is considered an embodiment of virtues.

It was this aura around Sri Jayendra Saraswathi that created a sense of disbelief when he was accused of involvement in murder. Even if he is proved not guilty, the alleged acts committed by him amount to a breach of faith.

R. Ramamurthy,
Kumbakonam, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — Devotees generally believe that the religious leaders before whom they stand in obeisance can do no wrong. This mindset should change.

Joy Eapen,
Vennikulam, Kerala

* * *

Sir, — Even if the Acharya gets absolved of all the charges levelled against him, can he continue to be the peetatipathi? It is time Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi took charge of the Mutt.

Mani Nataraajan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The media have been accused of sensationalising the Jayendra Saraswathi issue. Be it Watergate, Bill Clinton or Diana Charles, the media played a similar role. If the issue is sensational how can the media be blamed?

The Kanchi Acharya episode is sensational by itself; the media do not have to sensationalise it.

N. Balu,
Tiruchi, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — The 39 letters purportedly written by Sankararaman to the Kanchi Acharya are now becoming an important source of prima facie material against him.

One is reminded of the advice of Thiruvalluvar in the 871st `Thirukkural:' viller uzhavar pagaikollinum kollarka sol yer uzhavar pagai (you can incur the wrath of an archer but not of one who wields the pen.)

Rex S. Arul,
Smyrna, Georgia

* * *

Sir, — The police have now started taking leads from the letters written by Sankararaman to the Kanchi Acharya, marking a copy to The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department.

These include a letter in which he expressed his fear about his life. Why was the Government sitting over those letters without taking any action? Had it acted in time, it could have saved his life.

R. Radha Krishnan,
Chennai

* * *

Sir, — It is becoming obvious that the Tamil Nadu Government is in a `do or die' situation. For the police who claimed that they had enough evidence to arrest the Acharya, it seems to have become a burden to justify the arrest.

The spate of irrelevant information being disclosed on a daily basis shows there is no incriminating evidence.

One may not be wrong in believing that the prosecution is dependent only on the support of the witnesses and may go to any extent to ensure that they do not become hostile.

M.B. Gopalan,
Chennai

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