The Hindu : National : Junior Acharya's arrest is part of the process of law: Jayalalithaa

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Wednesday, Jan 12, 2005

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National

Junior Acharya's arrest is part of the process of law: Jayalalithaa

This is the text of the statement of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in response to the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh's letter on the arrest of the junior Acharya of the Kanchi Mutt, Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi:

The media have carried reports of the statement of the Prime Minister's Office indicating that the Hon'ble Prime Minister had written to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 6.1.2005, drawing attention to the apprehension that if the Junior Pontiff of the Sankara Mutt at Kancheepuram is also taken into custody, it might lead to the disruption of the `Daily Pooja.' The Hon'ble Prime Minister in his letter had also stated that it is not his intention to interfere with the due process of law in any manner. He has concluded his letter indicating that he was bringing this to the attention of the Chief Minister. The Prime Minister's Office has also indicated that this issue was brought up by the Prime Minister on 7th January, 2005, when he met the Chief Minister at Chennai and the Chief Minister had assured the Prime Minister that all precautions had been taken and all aspects had been considered.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has replied to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 11.1.2005, indicating that she had already written to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 26.11.2004, in reply to this earlier letter agreeing with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's observation that the due process of law must not be interfered with and law must be allowed to take its own course. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has pointed that in this letter dated 11.1.2005, that it is as part of this process of law that the Junior Pontiff Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal has been arrested on 10.1.2005. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has reiterated that all the action taken in this case is in furtherance of the due processes of law.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also pointed out that it is not as if both the Swamigals have not been away from the Mutt at the same time in the past. There have been innumerable occasions when both the Pontiffs have been away from the Sankara Mutt at Kancheepuram. While both the Pontiffs have been away from the Mutt, arrangements have been made for the conduct of the `Daily Pooja' in the past. It would be invidious not to construe this as breaking the tradition and affecting the `Daily Pooja' at the Mutt, while expressing the apprehension that the arrest of both the Pontiffs and their being away be labelled as breaking the tradition of the `Daily Pooja'. In fact, when the Senior Pontiff was arrested on 11.11.2004, both he and the Junior Pontiff were at Mehboob Nagar near Hyderabad, being away on camp for several days prior to 11.11.2004. Further, the Junior Pontiff returned to Kancheepuram only several days thereafter. It is, therefore, quite incorrect and unfounded to connect the arrest of the two Pontiffs with the tradition of the `Daily Pooja' at the Sankara Mutt at Kancheepuram.

Even at the time of the arrest of the Senior Pontiff, some sections expressed apprehension that this would injure the sentiments of the people. This has been totally belied by the subsequent march of events. The public have greatly appreciated the principled stand taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu that all are equal before the law. The Chief Minister has pointed out that it cannot be Prime Minister's argument that while handling a conspiracy involving hired killers, the Tamil Nadu Police should make a distinction between those who instigated, conspired and financed the brutal murder inside a temple and those who carried it out, extending special treatment to the Pontiffs as against the other accused. It is relevant to point out that all of them face similar charges.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also highlighted the fact that an onerous duty is cast on the Government of Tamil Nadu to proceed with the case in an impartial manner not swayed by sentiments or feelings. In conclusion, the Hon'ble Chief Minister has pointed out to the Hon'ble Prime Minister that upholding the majesty of law and the principle of equality of all before the law, however high or mighty the persons may be, is the bounden duty of the Government of Tamil Nadu and it ought to be their common endeavour to ensure that the Tamil Nadu Police maintains this tradition.

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