Monday, January 17 2005 09:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kalavai: The Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi had taken a "well thought out" decision to maintain silence as the "attack" by the Tamil Nadu Government against him and Mutt was still continuing, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) National Secretary L Ganesan said last night (Jan 16, 2005).

"The Seer is continuing his maun vrat (vow of silence). Even otherwise it would not be appropriate to express any views (about the cases). One can't say that peace has returned as the attack is continuing," he told reporters after meeting the Seer in Kalavai.

Replying to a question whether there was any motive behind the arrest of the Seer, Ganesan said that there was definitely a motive but only future will bring this out. The Shankaracharya is continuing his maun vrat.

Asked about Tamil Nadu Government's assurance that it would not take over the Mutt, he said, "We also wish that they honour the assurance."

Describing the arrest of the Shankaracharya and junior Vijayendra Saraswathi as a war against the Sankara Mutt with a view to destroying Hindu religion, he said that the BJP had already demanded that the cases be shifted outside the State and also dismissal of the State Government.

He said that the BJP in Tamil Nadu would organise demonstrations in all districts from today (Jan 17, 2005) till January 22 as part of the nationwide agitation to press their demands.

When asked about Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's statement criticising BJP's demands made by former prime Minister A B Vajpayee, he said that if the Chief Minister can make a statement in the State Assembly on the arrest of Shankaracharya there was nothing wrong in a former prime Minister making the remarks.