Puri: Shankaracharya of Puri Nischalananda Saraswati today (Nov 12, 2004) expressed grave concern over the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi describing it as "sad news for the country".

Arresting the pontiff on the charge of murder is a "blow to the existence and ideology of Hindus", he said in Puri.

If there is any case the Government could have inquired about it in a respectful and decent manner. ''This is a conspiracy to tarnish his (the Kanchi Shankaracharya's) image,'' he said.

Alleging that there had been violation of human rights in this case, he said the arrest indicated that the "very existence of Hindus in India is at stake".

Though Kanchi is not included among the four "peethas" in the country, Jayendra Saraswati is held in high esteem by the people world over.

''Who will be responsible for the humiliation meted out to the pontiff if he is exonerated from the charge tomorrow?'' he asked.