Friends no more: Jaya turns into seer's bitter foe

Uma Sudhir and T S Sudhir

Sunday, January 16, 2005 (Chennai):

While the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa hits out against those accusing her of influencing the Kanchi Shankaracharya case, speculation continues on why her equation with Jayendra Saraswati went wrong.

Is there any truth in reports that it is a state sponsored witch-hunt inspired by individual political compulsions? Or is it just a regular murder investigation?

On January 11, Jayendra Saraswati left Vellore Central Prison after spending two months there as the state police launched investigations into the murder of a Kanchi Mutt accountant.

During this period, no well-known public figure in Tamil Nadu has dared to openly come out in his support.

Most members of the high profile list of the Kanchi Mutt's Brahmin devotees are off the radar.

"The government is picking up almost everybody who talks in favour of the Mutt or who talks against the tactics adopted by the state police. In such a case, nobody wants to venture out with any opinion," said Cho Ramaswamy, a political analyst.

Natural allies

No one knows for sure why Jayalalithaa decided to go after the Kanchi Shankaracharya.

The two were natural allies. She is a Brahmin chief minister who brought in the anti-conversion bill and was an ally of the BJP.

For his part, the seer had made an effort to help the previous NDA government resolve the Ayodhya dispute.

"People have spun all kinds of conspiracy theories. The police and the prosecution must have told the Chief Minister that they have a very strong case. You must make a distinction between how the police acts in any situation because a lot of things are attributed to political leaders," said N Ram, editor-in-chief of the Hindu.

Falling out

Some say differences over financial dealings caused the fallout between Jayalalithaa and Jayendra Saraswati.

Others point to a personality clash. And possibly, Jayalalithaa's disapproval of the senior seer's interest in politics.

"We believe that all is not quite well with the Sankara Mutt. There are murky dealings between Jayalalithaa and the Sankara Mutt. Both may be responsible for this. But law should take its own course," said K Nageshwar, a political analyst.

The dramatic midnight arrest of DMK chief Karunanidhi in 2001 clearly showed that Jayalalithaa does not forgive her foes.

Political observers say while the guilt of the Acharya is a matter for the courts to decide, the government's handling of the case makes one suspect its real intentions.

Dangerous precedent

"Jayalalithaa has a history of very dangerous precedent. Karunanidhi, Vaiko, handling of government employees strike. Usually Jayalalithaa is identified with politics of vendetta and settling scores with adversaries," said Nageshwar.

After the 2004 Lok Sabha elections in which the AIADMK fared miserably, things were looking downhill for Jayalalithaa.

With the killing of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, there was an apparent turnaround in public perception.

Political analysts say that with just a year left for the assembly elections, Jayalalithaa would hope the image of a tough chief minister would improve her political fortunes.

"Because she took on the famous Shankaracharya and took a bold step to arrest him, it would not be a surprise that there may be a public feeling in her favour. But whether that will translate into votes is a different question," said Kalipoongundran, general secretary, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

Events of the past couple of months have shown that the state government believes that the top officials of the Mutt are not above suspicion.

Mutt above individuals

With both Shankaracharyas forced to stay away and all bank accounts frozen, the 2,500-year-old institution is passing through a difficult time.

Jayendra Saraswati will spend the next few days and perhaps weeks at Kalavai, 40 km from his seat at Kanchipuram.

He maybe forced to ponder over the reasons that caused ignominy to the Kanchi Mutt, an institution whose name and glory was built over so many years.

Individuals may or may not be guilty but those concerned about the Muttsay it is bigger than any individual.

"The evidence is there that people like Ravi Subramaniam and Appu had gone to the Mutt. This kind of interaction with people of a dubious background never existed in the past. So there must be some kind of cleansing," said T V S Hari, a political analyst.

When Sri Vijayendra Saraswati returned to Kanchipuram after his guru's arrest, he asked everyone to pray for Sri Jayendra Saraswati.

Not just the almighty, it seems powers closer home also need to be kept in good humour.