Kancheepuram: Maintaining that Human Rights had been violated in the arrest of the Kanchi Seer Jayendra Saraswathi, NDA (National Democratic Alliance) convener George Fernandes today (Nov 17, 2004) said, "Those responsible for this must be held accountable."

"In the case of Shankaracharya, Supreme Court guidelines have not been followed. There has been a total violation of Human Rights. Whosoever is responsible for this must be held accountable for this breach of Human Rights at one level and the treatment given to Jayendra at another level," he said.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

"There are people from our country and outside, who are deeply hurt at the way things have been moving. I hope it will be set right," the former Defence Minister told reporters after calling on Junior Acharya Vijayendra Saraswathi, at the Sankara Mutt in Kancheepuram.

Fernandes, who entered the mutt at about 12 noon, met Vijayendra only around 1.30 hrs (IST) and came out after about 30 minutes to address the media.