New Delhi: Describing the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi in a murder case as "an onslaught on Hindus", VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) today (Nov 12, 2004) accused the Centre and Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu of hatching a conspiracy and announced a country-wide protest demonstrations for two days beginning tomorrow (Nov 13).

"This is for the first time in the history of Hindus that Shanakaracharya has been arrested. Why all of a sudden, the Seer was arrested while performing Trikal Puja," VHP firebrand leader Praveen Togadia said on phone from Nagpur.

Also read: 'Shankaracharya's arrest politically vindictive'

Alleging that the Congress-led UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government along with the Congress-led Governments in Karnataka and Andhra pradesh pressurised Tamil Nadu Government to arrest the pontiff, he said, asking, "Will they arrest Imam Bukhari of Jama Masjid on Eid as there are so many cases pending against him."

Charging the Centre and the State Governments with political vendetta, he said that the VHP would organise protest demonstrations across the country for two days beginning tomorrow.