Kancheepuram: Suspended BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader Uma Bharti today (Dec 7, 2004) said Kanchi Seer, Jayendra Saraswathi, now in Vellore prison after his arrest in connection with the Sankararaman murder case, should be provided facilities to perform poojas as the "dhanur masa", which would commence from the middle of this month, was very special for sanyasis (saints).

She told reporters in Kancheepuram that she would request the Tamil Nadu Government to provide this facility. Thanking the State Government for permitting her to meet Jayendra at the prison, she said the Government should help the Seer to perform pooja.

Uma Bharti was talking to reporters after calling on the Junior Acharya Vijayendra Saraswathi at the Mutt.

On the silence of Congress over the issue, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said, "The silence of Sonia Gandhi has only strengthened her view that Sonia is totally alien to the tradition and culture of this country. The silence is very puzzling," she added.

Uma Bharti, who reached Kancheepuram at 9.15 AM, spoke to the junior Pontiff and left for Vellore from Kancheepuram at 11.30 AM.

Bharti was accompanied by VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) vice president Vedantham and State convener Veerapahu.

Vedantham said it was 'painful' that Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi and PV Narasimha Rao were keeping quiet over the manner in which Jayendra has been treated. At least they should try to shift the Seer to a bungalow and keep him in house arrest.