People's Democracy

On Arrest Of Kanchi Shankaracharya

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on November 14, 2004.

THE arrest of the Kanchi Shankaracharya, Sri Jayendra Saraswathi has taken place in the background of an investigation by the police in a murder case. The prosecution has stated that sufficient evidence exists to proceed against Sri Jayendra Saraswati. Nobody is above law and the judicial process should proceed unhindered.

The efforts of the VHP and some other forces to give a communal angle to this affair is condemnable. While the case should be pursued with sensitivity keeping in mind the religious status of the individual concerned, it must be emphasized that this is not a religious matter. The Tamilnadu state government should not give into any pressures and allow the law to take its course. (INN)