Pune: People from different walks of life would court arrest on Dec 15, 2004 to protest incarceration of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati in a murder case and the 'sustained campaign by vested interest groups to malign the Seer's reputation and hurt the sentiments of the Hindus', according to Prof Venkatesh Abdeo, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) regional secretary for Maharashtra and Goa.

Spotlight: Kanchi Jayendra Saraswathi's Arrest Talking to reporters in Pune today (Nov 29, 2004), Abdeo said as part of VHP's nation-wide 'jail bharo andolan', people would assemble in all the district headquarters of Maharashtra and Goa and march towards the Collectors' residence to demand the release of Shankaracharya.

The agitation would be led by committees set up at different levels under the guidance of religious leaders, he said adding that thousands of people were expected to take part in the programme.

"Jagadguru Shankaracharya has fallen victim to a conspiracy hatched by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to defame Hindus by tarnishing the reputation of the former", he said.

On reported claims by the Tamil Nadu Government in Madras High Court that the Seer "broke down during interrogation and confessed about his involvement in the murder of a temple official at Kanchi mutt", Abdeo alleged they too were parts of the conspiracy to mislead the people about the investigations.

On questioning of the Seer in connection with the missing of 65 kgs of gold from the mutt, Abdeo said everyday police was foisting a new charge on the Seer to break him down.