Bangalore: Prominent Pontiffs of Karnataka today (Nov 24, 2004) expressed their "outrage" over what they called "ill-treatment" of Kanchi Shankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, an accused in the murder of a temple official, but said the law should take its own course in the case.

The "acharyas" and swamijis roundly condemned the "treatment meted out to the Shankaracharya as if he is a criminal" disregarding his status as the temporal head of an important religious seat of Hinduism and said it had caused deep anguish to them.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest

"We as swamijis are not above the law. We have to uphold the Constitution as citizens of the country. But the Shankaracharya should have been treated with respect in keeping with his status. He has been ill-treated as if he has a long criminal history," Taralabalu Mutt swamiji and prominent leader of the dominant Lingayat community, Dr Shivamurthy Shivacharya said.

Speaking to reporters after their meeting called by the "Acharya Sabha" of Karnataka, they however amply made it clear that "nobody is above the law" and the court should decide on the murder case, in which the Kanchi Seer is named as the prime accused.

The Art of Living Foundation founder Ravishankar said the law must prevail in the case but they were pained at the manner in which "it (the issue) was handled". "It could have been handled in a better way."

Udupi Pejawar Mutt swamiji Sri Viswesha Thirtha swamiji said Jayendra Saraswathi was only an accused and he should be given "proper treatment" in line with his status as the temporal head of a prominent Hindu seat.

"We all share the anguish caused to the Seer of the Kanchi mutt. It should not happen to anyone. Respect should have been given in keeping with his status," Sri Balagangadharanath swamiji of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt of the prominent community of Vokkaligas, said.

The Taralabalu mutt Seer said they were not against the arrest of the Kanchi swamiji as such but "his ill-treatment".

"If the court decides tomorrow that he is innocent, who will set right the damage already done."

"In our view, the Kanchi Shankaracharya is neither guilty nor innocent. He is only an accused now," he said, stressing that the court would decide on the issue.

Shivarathri Desikendra Mahaswamiji of another prominent Lingayat Mutt at Suttur said the manner of the Kanchi Seer's arrest gave an impression as if it had been done with prejudice. He should have been extended the minimum courtesies and facilities due to him, though they were not calling his arrest "wrong", he said.

The Pejawar Seer said the judiciary should decide the case but the bail for the swamiji should not have been opposed. He said there should be no politics in the matter.

The Taralabalu mutt swamiji said Jayendra Saraswathi could have been placed under house arrest and investigation carried out. "As long as he is an accused, treat him with respect."

The Jagatguru of Kudligi Sringeri Mutt, Pushpagiri swamiji of Hyderabad, Shivapuri swamiji of Omkar Hills, Dayananda Saraswathi of Rishikesh and representatives of Sri Sri Gangadharendra Swarnavalli Mahasamsthanam and Abhinava Vidya Sankara swamiji of Avani Sringeri Mutt also attended the meet.