Author: Our Special Correspondent
Publication: The Hindu
Date: November 28, 2004
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2004/11/28/stories/2004112808010400.htm
The Kanchi Sankaracharya, Sri Jayendra
Saraswathi, is the first pontiff in the Sankara Mutt lineage to mingle
with the Dalits and other downtrodden sections. Hence, his arrest is regrettable,
Vai. Balasundaram, State president of the Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam, said
here today.
He told presspersons that he did
not want to go into the details of the arrest as it was sub-judice.
From his association with the Acharya
for the past several years, he had learnt about the humane side of Jayendra
Saraswathi, who had contributed a great deal to the uplift of the downtrodden.
Without any inhibitions the Acharya
had stayed in a hut of a Dalit, Chelladurai, at Ramancheri, near Thiruttani,
recently and offered his blessings.
The Acharya had also established
the Ambedkar Maha Sabha for the welfare of the Dalits. He was a firm believer
in the adage that "all religions were acceptable" and hence, he had cordial
relations with the religious leaders of all communities.
Solution to Ayodhya
Our Special Correspondent from Chennai
reports:
Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, if granted
bail, would strive for an out-of-court settlement to the Ayodhya issue
with the consent of the two communities, the Tamil Nadu Muslim Personal
Law Board's chairman, Mohd. Amaan Khan, said here today.
In a statement, he said it was the
Sankaracharya, who, for the first time, initiated a great effort to find
a solution in 2002. "The Indian Muslims can neither deny his efforts nor
forget them."
Muslims did not have any difference
of opinion over Sankaracharya's efforts to find an amicable solution and
promote cordiality between the two communities, Mr. Khan said.
