New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today (Nov 12, 2004) expressed shock over the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati and questioned the step and the "haste" with which it was taken.

"The BJP is shocked by the news of the arrest. The arrest has surprised the nation and the party," party spokesman and noted lawyer Arun Jaitley told reporters in New Delhi.

Questioning the "haste" with which his arrest was effected, he wondered why the pontiff was taken into custody late at night and just before the court holidays.

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"If his presence was required for inquiry or interrogation, we wonder whether the arrest was necessary," Jaitley said.

The BJP general secretary utilised the opportunity to target the central UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government over the issue of "tainted" ministers.

"The 'Dharam Guru' was taken into custody even as several ministers accused of serious crimes are roaming freely," he said.