Imphal: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Nov 21, 2004) rejected BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and Sangh Parivar's accusation of Centre's hand in the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, saying it had no role in it.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

"I have already said that the Centre has no hand in it. It is my desire and I hope that he will be treated and extended all courtesies which are due to his religious stature and also his age and position in our society," Singh told reporters in Imphal before leaving for Guwahati.

The Prime Minister was responding to a question whether there was any contradiction in his going to Shankar Netralaya in Guwahati in which the Kanchi Mutt had some interest and the Seer's arrest, Singh said, "There is no contradiction. I will go there as it is doing a good job and express my gratitude towards the organisation."