Wednesday, January 12 2005 12:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nagpur: There is an 'international conspiracy' behind the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi to "offend the Hindu sensibilities", RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) has alleged.

Speaking at a function to release a book in Nagpur last night (Jan 11, 2005) on Veer Savarkar, "A miracle called Veer Savarkar", RSS chief K S Sudarshan, without elaborating termed the release of Kanchi Seer and arrest of Junior Shankaracharya Vijayendra as a "massive international conspiracy to offend the Hindu sensibilities".

He also dismissed reports that the Seer's arrest failed to evoke a massive outcry.

"A phase has begun to attack the places of worship and Hindu spiritual leaders", he said.

Since Hindu civilisation is unique in the world this phase has an international angle, he said adding, Hindu majority would rise in revolt against such conspiracy.

Sudarshan demanded that the plaque inscribed with Savarkar's couplets be restored with due honour and respect at the Cellular Jail in Andaman.

Continuing his tirade against Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer and CPM (Communist Party of India Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechuri who have severely criticised Savarkar, Sudarshan said both were ideal heir to the British legacy of creating confusion over unparalleled contribution of Savarkar.

Charges against Savarkar that he applied for clemency while serving sentence has no factual, historical or intellectual basis but an attempt to malign his image, Sudarshan claimed.