'Even Courts Cannot Disturb Status Quo'

Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Swami Jayendra Saraswati on Monday said that it would bedifficult even for courts to disturb the status quo in Ayodhya where Ram already has a "temporary shelter." 

Replying to questions at a press conference, he said it would be dangerous to the country if any attempt was made toremove the Ram idol from the disputed site.

Stating that he had felt sad when the Babri Masjid structure was demolished, the Shankaracharya, who is on aweek-long visit to the capital, said that people joined together and installed an idol of Lord Ram at the site. "Ram has already registered his name there. He cannnot be removed. Even the court will find it difficult to change(status quo)," he said when asked about the VHP's deadline of March 2002 for starting the construction of the temple at thesite.

Shankaracharya said that he did not consider Ayodhya issue to be an election issue.

Stating that he had been invited by the Chinese government to visit Beijing to spread cultural activities in thatcountry, the Kanchi Seer said that the dates were yet to be finalised. 

Stating that he had met Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee yesterday to bless him after his recent kneeoperation, the Shankaracharya said he had also discussed about the measures to be taken for cow protection in the country.

He said the Prime Minister had assured him that he would constitute a commission to look into the issue and take stepsfor the protection of cows. 

Stating that he had also shown the correspondence received from the Chinese authorities for his visit to China,the Shankaracharya said Vajpayee also favoured his trip toBeijing with which New Delhi has very long cordial ties.

Though the Chinese wanted him to visit that country on October 10, he had told them that in view of Chaturmasya andDasara festivities, a convenient date would be finalised after his return to Kancheepuram, he said.

Asked whether he would discuss the Tibet issue with Beijing, the Shankaracharya said like Jammu and Kashmir waspart of India, Tibet was part of China.

The Shankaracharya was also critical of government's Videshi policy and said there were already differencesbetween the government and the Sangh Parivar, who were in  favour ofSwadeshi. 

During his stay here, the Seer would also inaugurate a seminar on 'Sri Adi Sankara's Advaita Philosophy: CurrentChallenges in the Context of Globalisation' and also address diplomats onTuesday. He would also visit Amarnath on June 27. (PTI)