Jayalalithaa acting against seer at the behest of Sonia: VHP

2005-01-18 Published by NDTV Gathered by Press Trust of India

INDORE,JANUARY 18:VHP on Tuesday alleged that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa was acting against Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswathi at the behest of Congress president Sonia Gandhi as part of a high-level conspiracy. "Jayalalithaa acted against Sankaracharya as she was directed to do so by Sonia Gandhi to check the growing influence of Jayendra Saraswathi among the Brahmins and non-Brahmins in the state," VHP leader Ashok Singhal alleged while talking to reporters on the sidelines of VHP's Hindu Swabhimaan Jagran Mahayagna. He said it was also necessary in view of the huge grant that the Christian missionaries were getting in the area and with the rising popularity of Sankarachrya, the same would be in danger. The VHP leader also claimed that he has information that recently Union Minister for Personnel and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri met Jayalalithaa and told her about her foreign bank accounts to pressurise her to act against Sankarachrya and later against the junior seer, Vijendra Saraswathi. Singhal informed that VHP has offered Sankarachrya to tour the country on the issue, but he has not taken any decision about it. He also demanded for conducting the trial of the case outside Tamil Nadu. Referring to reports of appointment of new Sankaracharya, the VHP leader said it was not possible as it involves a long religious process.