Author: Acharya Giriraj Kishore
Publication: Organiser
Date: January 24, 2005
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=61&page=23
Senior VHP leader Acharya Giriraj
Kishore sees a conspiracy behind the arrest of the two Shankaracharyas
of Kanchi Mutt. He says that Hindus are relieved at the release of Swami
Jayendra Saraswati, but are equally concerned at the arrest of Vijayendra
Saraswati and at sudden interruption of rituals in this ancient Mutt for
the first time. In an exclusive interview to Organiser correspondent, Deepak
Kumar Rath, the Acharya declared that a deep conspiracy was afoot to destroy
the image of Hindu dharmacharyas as they have been successfully curbing
conversions of Hindus.
Q.: What is your reaction on Shankaracharya
Swami Jayendra Saraswati's release after the Supreme Court granted him
bail?
A.: On January 10, 2005, when the
Supreme Court granted bail to Swami Jayendra Saraswati, the Shankaracharya
of Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, the Hindus heaved a sigh of relief. Actually speaking,
according to law, justice delayed is justice denied. After long 60 days
he has been granted bail. In normal cases no court should take such a long
period. It was the state police that opposed his bail every time. The Supreme
Court has admitted that this was a strong case for grant of bail. The prosecution
could not produce enough evidence. But, I am surprised at two orders of
the Supreme Court as imposed by the police-first, he will not be allowed
to stay in the Mutt so that he cannot meet the witness and second, he will
surrender his passport to the court. These are not good conditions to be
imposed on a dignitary of the stature of Swami Jayendra Saraswati. I feel
the Court could have passed a stricture against the state government of
Tamil Nadu for keeping the Shankaracharya confined in jail over an irrelevant
issue.
Q.: Now what would happen to the
ancient Mutt as none of the two Shankaracharyas is there to conduct the
prayers?
A.: That is a problem. For 2,500
years the Chandramauleswar puja has been consistently conducted in the
Mutt. Now, for the first time, there has been an interruption. Actually
this will be a loss of the age-old tradition and custom. It would also
be tampering with the Hindu Dharma rituals. The government is definitely
guilty on this record, and it should have allowed the junior Shankaracharya,
Swami Vijayendra Saraswati, to conduct the prayers in the Mutt. I know
that the arrest of the junior seer, Vijayendra Saraswati, is a vindictive
act of Jayalalithaa borne out of her anger at the bail granted by the Supreme
Court. And therefore, Shankaracharya Swami Vijayendra Saraswati has been
kept in prison for 15 days without any valid reason.
Q.: How is the VHP planning to take
up the issue?
A.: We will organise agitations
throughout the country to voice our protest against this injustice to the
Hindu Dharma and its respected leaders. From January 14, 2005, the Bajrang
Dal activists will recite the Hanuman Chalisa for one week.
Q.: What is your demand from the
Central Government?
A.: We demand that the puja in
the Mutt should continue uninterruptedly. Secondly, Swami Vijayendra Saraswati
should not be imprisoned and senior Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati
should be allowed to conduct the prayers in the Mutt. In my opinion, according
to the judgement of the bail, the Jayalalithaa government should release
Shankaracharya unconditionally and tender an apology for her misdeeds.
Q.: Do you feel that the Centre
had a role in this episode?
A.: I feel the Central Government
has been acting indifferently. The 'super' Prime Minister has not reacted
at all. Had it been a case of some Christian or other, she would have reacted
promptly.
Q.: Do you see any conspiracy behind
the arrest of Shankara-charya?
A.: It is said that this is a conspiracy
hatched by the Christians, as the conversion of Hindus has been halted
much against the hopes of the Pope who had declared, "The 21st century
would be the Christian century for Asia." On enquiring into the matter,
we have learnt that the dharma-charyas are taking up several social works,
due to which conversions are not taking place any longer. Among the dharma-charyas,
the Kanchi Kamakoti Shankaracharya is their main target. They have prepared
a list of 40 saints who are their target. I see this as a clear case of
conspiracy. They want to show to the world that Hindu dharmacharyas are
not proper saints.
Q.: Who are the other leaders in
their list?
A.: They are Satya Sai Baba, Mata
Amritanandamayee, Shri Shri Ravi Shanker Maharaj and all the Hindu leaders.
Q.: This is a state matter pertaining
to Tamil Nadu. How can you say that the 'super' Prime Minister has a role
in it?
A.: Frankly speaking, a senior
leader, who is a Union Minister, was sent to Chennai and he told Jayalalithaa,
'Madam knows about your misdeeds. Are you prepared to go to jail or will
you arrange to send the Shankara-charya to the jail?'
Q.: Who is this Cabinet Minister?
A.: I cannot reveal his name.
