Kolkata: The CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) today (Nov 17, 2004) expressed displeasure over the treatment meted out to Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi and said that his stature should have been kept in mind.

''There are guidelines. When BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader L K Advani was arrested during his rath-yatra, he was put in a guesthouse and not in jail,'' Yechuri told referring to the Kanchi Seer's arrest.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

Stating that the case against Shankaracharya must take the normal course, the CPM leader expressed his unhappiness at the way the Seer was treated.

"Law must take its own course. At the same time, Shankaracharya is a religious personality and has a stature in Indian society. This must be kept in mind," he said.

Stating that the law and order is a State subject, he said that the Tamil Nadu Government had taken steps on the basis of information it had. ''But the Government should proceed, keeping in mind his stature.''