Amma’s Kanchi bombshell: my govt may take over mutt

In dramatic U-turn, Jaya sends note to Governor S S Barnala that her govt may bring ordinance; Vajpayee says if govt so ‘stupid,’ prepare for long struggle;

Posted online: Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 0000 hours IST

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa CHENNAI, JANUARY 15: In what could kick off a political storm, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa this evening sent a communication to Governor S S Barnala that her government was exploring ways to take over the Kanchi mutt and could even bring an ordinance to this effect.

This is a U-turn from her statement in the Assembly, shortly after the Shankaracharya’s arrest on November 11 in the Sankararaman murder case, that the state government had no such plans.

Reliable sources said that the communication was sent to Raj Bhavan today when the Governor was away, attending a function in Cuddalore.

Late tonight, PTI quoted an unnamed ‘‘top Tamil Nadu official’’ as denying such reports and saying that there was no plan to take over the mutt.

However, confirming the receipt of such a note, sources in Raj Bhavan told The Sunday Express tonight that the Governor would consult legal experts, and if need be, even ‘‘senior colleagues’’ before reacting.

It’s not clear whether this is a trial balloon that Jayalalithaa has floated to force political parties in the state to take a stand on this sensitive issue but for the BJP, the battlelines have been drawn.

In the capital today, speaking to his party workers before a week-long protest planned against the arrest of the elder and younger Shankaracharyas, former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee warned the Tamil Nadu government that the BJP is ready for a ‘‘long struggle’’ to prevent a takeover.

‘‘There is an attempt on to control the mutt,’’ he said. ‘‘We hope it (state government) will not commit such stupidity but if it is determined to go this way, then we will launch a peaceful protest. We are ready for a long struggle.’’

Calling it a conspiracy and a ‘‘challenge’’ to society, Vajpayee referred to Makar Sankranti yesterday: ‘‘The direction and condition of the country will change as the sun changes its direction after sankranti.’’ He added that the BJP would not allow the two Shankaracharyas to languish in jail.

Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi was freed on bail earlier this week but hours later his junior Vijayendra was arrested in the same case.