'Law Must Be Allowed To Take Its Own Course'

The media have carried reports of the statement of the Prime Minister'sOffice indicating that the Hon'ble Prime Minister had written to the Hon'bleChief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 6.1.2005, drawing attention to the apprehensionthat if the Junior Pontiff of the Sankara math at Kancheepuram is also takeninto custody, it might lead to the disruption of the `Daily Pooja.' The Hon'blePrime Minister in his letter had also stated that it is not his intention tointerfere with the due process of law in any manner. He has concluded his letterindicating that he was bringing this to the attention of the Chief Minister. ThePrime Minister's Office has also indicated that this issue was brought up by thePrime Minister on 7th January, 2005, when he met the Chief Minister at Chennaiand the Chief Minister had assured the Prime Minister that all precautions hadbeen taken and all aspects had been considered.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has replied to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on11.1.2005, indicating that she had already written to the Hon'ble Prime Ministeron 26.11.2004, in reply to this earlier letter agreeing with the Hon'ble PrimeMinister's observation that the due process of law must not be interfered withand law must be allowed to take its own course. The Hon'ble Chief Minister haspointed that in this letter dated 11.1.2005, that it is as part of this processof law that the Junior Pontiff Sri Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal has beenarrested on 10.1.2005. The Hon'ble Chief Minister has reiterated that all theaction taken in this case is in furtherance of the due processes of law.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also pointed out that it is not as if both theSwamijis have not been away from the math at the same time in the past. Therehave been innumerable occasions when both the Pontiffs have been away from theSankara math at Kancheepuram. While both the Pontiffs have been away from themath, arrangements have been made for the conduct of the `Daily Pooja' in thepast. It would be invidious not to construe this as breaking the tradition andaffecting the `Daily Pooja' at the math, while expressing the apprehension thatthe arrest of both the Pontiffs and their being away be labelled as breaking thetradition of the `Daily Pooja'. In fact, when the Senior Pontiff was arrested on11.11.2004, both he and the Junior Pontiff were at Mehboob Nagar near Hyderabad,being away on camp for several days prior to 11.11.2004. Further, the JuniorPontiff returned to Kancheepuram only several days thereafter. It is, therefore,quite incorrect and unfounded to connect the arrest of the two Pontiffs with thetradition of the `Daily Pooja' at the Sankara math at Kancheepuram.

Even at the time of the arrest of the Senior Pontiff, some sections expressedapprehension that this would injure the sentiments of the people. This has beentotally belied by the subsequent march of events. The public have greatlyappreciated the principled stand taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu that allare equal before the law. The Chief Minister has pointed out that it cannot bePrime Minister's argument that while handling a conspiracy involving hiredkillers, the Tamil Nadu Police should make a distinction between those whoinstigated, conspired and financed the brutal murder inside a temple and thosewho carried it out, extending special treatment to the Pontiffs as against theother accused. It is relevant to point out that all of them face similarcharges.

The Hon'ble Chief Minister has also highlighted the fact that an onerous dutyis cast on the Government of Tamil Nadu to proceed with the case in an impartialmanner not swayed by sentiments or feelings. In conclusion, the Hon'ble ChiefMinister has pointed out to the Hon'ble Prime Minister that upholding themajesty of law and the principle of equality of all before the law, however highor mighty the persons may be, is the bounden duty of the government of TamilNadu and it ought to be their common endeavour to ensure that the Tamil NaduPolice maintains this tradition.