Appeal to Nationalist Hindus, dharma Bhaktas and Poojaneeya religious Leaders 

Subject: Kanchi Shankaracharya's Prestige and Glory must be restored - His arrest on concocted charges was like ‘disrobing of Draupadi' b) The Govt. affidavit before the SC denying Lord Ram’ ever existed is the ultimate assault on Hinduism, c) Hindus must initiate a movement to save Dharma and India from "Kauravas" hiding under the cover of secularism. 

Aadarniya patriot and nationalist Hindus;
Hindu Religious Leaders; and
Poojaneeya Sadhus and Swami jis  

It is a matter of deep distress and continuing psychological shock for Hindus worldwide that H.H. Swami Jayendra Shankaracharya was arrested on 11/11 (November 11, 2004) on concocted murder charges, the result of political vendetta, abuse of power and contempt for the Hindu India, on the holiest night of Diwali. However, despite almost three years pendency of this fictitious case he has neither been tried nor have the charges against him been dropped. To Hindus, H.H. Shankaracharya is an icon, an institution and the top most Hindu seer – better than the Pope for Catholics, who is accorded public and state honors worldwide. By this sinistrous action a 2500 year old institution founded by Adi Shankaracharya, and a source of inspiration and pride for the country has been disabled, maligned and dishonored. To avenge this wrongful humiliation Hindus en-masse must initiate an awareness campaign for restoring the prestige and glory to the Seer whose insult can be compared to shameful disrobing of Draupadi. For this high religious crime alone the offending political establishment must be rejected and thrown out of the corridors of power. 

Emboldened by this anti-Hindu mindset on the one hand and on the other the paralyzing apathy of Hindu India, the Govt. through an affidavit before the SC, in the case of Ram Sethu, has now gone to the extent of denying the very existence of Lord Ram. This criminal action by the Govt. among other things was meant to erase all that stands for our identity and the religious-cultural traits that define us, our nationhood and soul. By launching an unprecedented assault against Hindu India and its religion (85% population of India) Sonia-Manmohan Govt. has lost its legitimacy to rule and therefore, must tender an unconditional apology before liquidating the office. The President Mrs. Patil must direct them to resign and thereafter, a new cabinet could be formed. The Govt. policy has unquestionably established its total disregard for the majority sentiment and the threads that weave a fabric called India. The continued stay in office of this Govt. which has so publicly exhibited out right contempt for the religion of India's national majority will be absolutely and fundamentally undemocratic. Furthermore, the President of India must set up an impartial Judicial Commission to investigate this issue and punish all those who developed and approved the contents and language of the scandalous and blasphemous affidavit submitted before the SC of India. Any thing short of that must be unacceptable. 

1) CM' lied about the grounds of arrest :  Ms.  Jayalalithaa, the then CM, who engineered the arrest authoritatively declared in the Tamil Nadu assembly on November 17, 2004 - that "the Tamil Nadu police have shocking but solid information on the links of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi with the murderer of Sankararaman". She broke her silence on the seer's arrest by making a suo motu statement. It is almost three years since, but the TN Govt. has miserably failed to provide any credible evidence to prove the charges against the Hindu leader. It must be noted that in spite of the CM's categorical statement the charges against the Kanchi Seer were framed only on July 23, 2007 well over two and a half years after his arrest when the Govt. had all the time to manipulate witnesses and the evidence. 

2) The following grounds establish without a doubt that in this imbroglio the central underlying motive was a religio-political conspiracy. His Holiness had been:  i) a thorn in the flesh of evangelists, and he was furious on Jayalalitha’s withdrawal of the anti-conversion law following her rout in the Lok Sabha elections; Days before his arrest, he had also ii) raised his influential voice against the Endowments Act whereby the Govt. seized control over temples; iii) He supported the demand for removal of non-believers from temple managements and wanted iv) use of temple finances for purely Hindu religious causes (i.e., funds from Hindu temples should not be used to subsidize the Hajj pilgrimage and Church construction and maintenance). The fulfillment of these demands would have spun the official erroneous policy out of the orbit and down the drain.  

Former President R Venkataraman sought a probe into the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya. Thus he commented that the inquiry should unearth if ’private grievance' was the motive for the treatment meted out to the seer and if there was any 'ulterior motive’ behind the Hindu leader’s arrest. Blinded by their contempt for the Hindu leader’s “plain talk” the authorities disregarded the fact that the HH happened to be the 69th head of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha, with 2000 years of shining and untarnished history and took him in custody any way. 

3) The Kanchi Shankaracharya is the foremost spiritual leader of the Hindu faith. Among the four mutts set up by Adi Shankaracharya, who is credited with reviving the Hindu religion in medieval India, the Kanchi Peeth is the most revered one. Others include the Dwarka, Badrinath and Puri Peeth. The Shankaracharya was also in the news as his devotees include the who's who among the politicians and industrialists. The former President APJ Abdul Kalam was among the distinguished crowd. Obviously that was not enough for the vindictive authorities to reconsider their plan.  

4) His Holiness's arrest is suppression of Hindus Human Rights of religious freedom: As a part of the well thought out conspiracy executed hurriedly the arrest of HH was premeditated and meant to hurt an institution. Even finding supportive evidence and witnesses was left for the future. The practice of detailing innocent people without grounds is conceivable only in totalitarian states and not in free and democratic polities. Clearly the TN establishment seems to have removed that distinction between the two. On the other hand the elected Muslim officials & their supporters and even the J&K Chief Minister in their nationwide campaign warn of serious repercussions should a noted criminal like Afzal, the convicted terrorist, not be granted clemency. Doesn’t it convey a clear message to Hindus that until and unless they become Jihadists - by extension Maoists or Naxalites their culture and religion could not be saved. 

5) Kanchi Shankaracharya and Kanchi Mutt are Hindu icons. He is like an Emperor in the religious domain and living an ascetic life he could do no wrong. He has the same - even higher status in the Hindu society as the Holy Pope amongst Catholics. Yet in the current scheme of things a state Govt. of Hindu India was used as an instrument to put him in chains. Can any one even imagine the Pope being put behind the bars? 

"The present HH is a revolutionary saint  who intensely worked among the people particularly in the Dalit bastis. He pronounced against castes declaring that chaturvarna had no Vedic sanction.  He trained Dalit youth in temple duties, rituals and declared them archakas giving them the sacred thread." He is pious and unassuming so much so that when in jail, he advised everyone to pray, and while in the court room asked the judge if he could sit down. "A Shankaracharya is not made in a day.  From the day of initiation during the early childhood, it takes at least two decades of rigorous training in philosophy and other branches of religion to make an Acharya of a mutt like Kanchi.  

 Historically the Sankaracharyas live totally spartan lives and have no need for money or material possessions. Then why on earth would the Sankaracharya order the murder of an accountant? Such an assumption completely defies logic. The fact that the Swami was kept locked up in the harshest of conditions is clear indication of a political conspiracy at work. So much so that he was denied even courtesy and facilities of a political prisoner.   

6) The real intention behind the H.H.’s arrest was to humiliate the most visible, revered, and respectable Hindu religious leader in the country and administer a devastating blow to Hinduism:  Whatever the reasons for the unbecoming official misbehavior, the govt. could have handled this case with a little more sensitivity and finesse. There was no reason to humiliate this highly spiritual person. Blinded by the spirit of animosity and vindictiveness while abusing the official power and authority, two additional yet frivolous cases were registered against him to deny his release on bail. 

7) It must also be noted that the Supreme Court agreed to transfer the trial to Pondicherry  saying that: a)  there was "reasonable apprehension" that the accused will not get justice in Tamil Nadu; b)  found that the Tamil Nadu Government was showing "interest in securing the conviction of the Seer and halting the religious activities of the Mutt." ; and, c) that affidavits and the documents placed on record conclusively establish that a serious attempt had been made by the State machinery to implicate lawyers even remotely connected with the defense of the accused.  

The court further commented that "It leads to an inference that the State machinery is not only interested in securing conviction of the petitioner (Seer) and other co-accused but also bringing to a complete halt the entire religious and other activities of the various trusts and endowments and the performance of pooja and other rituals in the temples and religious places in accordance with the customs and traditions and thereby create a fear psychosis in the minds of the people". It is two years since the above comments and strictures were made by the SC yet the TN Govt. has not been able to conclusively prove its case against the defendant. The colossal failure of the Govt. to prove its case against the Hindu leader must be considered an important ground for dismissing and/or withdrawing this case which in the first place was born out of concocted and manufactured accusations and out right falsehood.  

8) Kanchi Seer is dishonored like Draupadi: In the words of Justice Narsimha Redyy of the AP High Cort, in a case where the Seer's name was maliciously included in a writ petition in January, 2005: "the amount of disrepute and sacrilege inflicted upon Sri Jayendra Saraswati, as of now, is so enormous that it has hardly any comparables,'' adding that ``harshest possible words were used directly or in innuendo'' against him. ``Today he is subjected to similar treatment as was Draupati in the court of Kauravas.'' The ``importance of spiritual institutions can by no means be underestimated'' in `building and shaping' a `country' or `society', the judge added (attachment A).

9) Law will not take its own course:  On the expression  “law taking its course'' which has gained considerable currency these days (and used for Kanchi Shankarachrya), Justice Reddy says, "with due respect, it is not true at least in part.'' For this to be true, says the judge, "the prosecuting agency should present the case honestly, the witnesses depose truly, the provisions of the law are clear, and the adjudicator is efficient and honest.'' ...If the prosecution depends on the "whims of the agency or the government of the day, if the law is framed keeping certain individuals in view, if the witnesses keep changing their versions and if the adjudicator is not up to expected standards, the law will not take its own course, "  the judge courageously pointed out. "The way in which the cases are foisted or withdrawn, particularly with the change of governments,'' and "the manner in which the witnesses come forward with conflicting versions'' illustrate why law will not take its own course. 

10) Govt. Persecutes Hindus and denies them freedom of religion:  This is in continuation of the officially adopted policy of demolishing the Hindu religious infrastructure by many state governments -  with ferocity they usurp the control of temples under the illegally enacted lawless laws. The administration of Govt. controlled temples has been transferred to officials without accountability, religious training, transparency and community supervision. The abundance of available evidence has proved beyond any doubt that under government control, the Hindu temples and institutions have not only been exploited injuriously but are also being driven to their ultimate extinction (attachment B). 

Govt. must realize that the temples and their endowments have been built over centuries by our forefathers and therefore, it is the community which is their real owner and which must have the final say in the management and utilization of temple resources. 

 Accordingly, the Govt. must restore the community’s superior role in interim temple management through Hindu Advisory Councils. Such Councils could play a role in oversight and decision making of the Endowment Dept. and the Temple Trusts where the community’s elected councils could shoulder majority of the responsibilities. These Councils could also stop desecration and decimation of the religious infrastructure under Govt. control, pending denationalization and the establishment of Autonomous Boards for taking charge. 

11)  After sixty years of independence:  

a) Hinduism is at the mercy of politicians who have illegally taken over temples and their endowment properties meant for sustenance in perpetuity in many states across the country.  

b) Kanchi Shankaracharya was arrested on Diwali night almost three years ago. In spite of the fact that the Tamil Nadu Govt. could not provide convincing proof of his guilt during these years he remains to be exonerated. 

c) Jihadist terrorist attacks on Hindus and their temples continue in the country. The temples such as Raghunath, Akshardham, etc were specially targeted. In Kashmir alone more than 150 temples were looted, desecrated, burnt, destroyed and some of them turned into mosques. Neither the federal Parliament nor the important national railways systems were spared. All these anti-Hindu activities aided and abated by the Govt. has given an unusual boost to “anti-Hindu Movement” spearheaded by suspicious characters. Such perverse role of the authorities has further spread the terrorist activities by the Maoists and Naxlites. 

d)   Having failed to eliminate terrorism the Govt. now appeases the Muslim community by carving out for them the unwarranted religion based reservations in every field possible thus enhances their social separatism and political commercialism. This fragmentist phynomenon was further propelled by the recommendations of the Sachar Commission which were accepted and implemented in full by the Govt. In today’s India particularly under the writ of the regime in office sacrificing Hindu interests to enhance and strengthen the anti-Hindu faiths has become a common place.  

e) Prime Minster Man Mohan Singh’s irrational assertion that Muslims should have the first preference on country's resources is out right communal, divisive and politically motivated. Why shouldn’t the Dalits, the down trodden, the needy and the farmers receive such preferential treatment? A large number of farmers have been committing suicides every year due to financial hardship and Govt. apathy, yet the authorities remain frozen and unmoved;  

f) With the expulsion of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and other non-Muslim minorities by Jihadists, Kashmir is Islamized and progressively drifting away from the Indian domain. Yet 100% of its budgetary needs are furnished by the Indian taxpayers who are denied citizenship rights in that state. The massive influx of Bangladeshi Muslims and dominance of terrorists and disloyal elements has created a safe haven for the votaries of lawlessness and anti-Indianism in the North Eastern states beyond Assam. So much so that Indian citizens cannot visit those territories without permission, passports and documents.   

12) Only the path of dharma can save India - those following "dharma virodhi" policies in key positions must be replaced at every electoral opportunity. It is essential in the present environment to actively participate in the over all management of society, policy management and its public administration. Hindus must be called upon to provide leadership for a clean, justice minded, non-intrusive and equitable management of their governing apparatus.  

"Divisions and disunity in the Hindu samaj pose a serious threat to the integrity of the nation. The looming perpetual threats from across the border and the heightened possibility of subversion from within are likely to grow far more dangerous in view of the debilities and disunities prevailing in the Hindu samaj and the consequent inability to enforce its patriotic will. The lack of needed transformation in the mindset of the upper castes and the firm resolve of the OBCs and Dalits to improve their standing puts the two sides on a collusion course. With no side bending and/or finding a mutually acceptable path to follow could result in a fatal blow to Hindutva thus irreparably hurting “ Hindu nation".  This precarious situation points to the imperative need of removing the seeds and causes of disunity and the rejuvenation of Hinduism across all segments of the Hindu society. How long can Hindus survive on a sliding slope?    

What we are emphasizing here is a massive awakening movement at all levels starting at the grassroots. For the sake of national unity it is necessary for this movement to strive and change the mindset of the upper casts for treating the Dalits fairly and equitably. Unfair treatment towards them makes the entire Hindu Samaj vulnerable while cultivating opportunities for the predatory religions to exploit it. By bringing all segments of the Hindu Samaj, the Dalits included, on a single platform, we will deny opportunities to adversaries for causing erosion in our ranks. And to attain that goal should be the central objective of the Jagrati movment.   

For an example Ms. Mayavati abandoned her slogan of "Tilak, tarazzoo aur Talwar; sab ko maro jutey char"  ( brahmins, banias and kshatriyas - beat them with shoes) and had a Brahmin leader go out and have meetings with Dalits in a helicopter provided by the BSP party before UP elections. And the outcome of this unifying strategy has been a massive victory for her in the recent elections. To improve their political fortunes even the Muslims talk of "Muslims & Dalits" alliance. For mutual gain why can’t Hindus embrace their Dalit brothers and sisters? 

14) Becoming politically strong for a united & prosperous India Hindus must assert their electoral might in every Election cycle:    

How can we ever forget the fact that India was partitioned on the basis of religion, as the Muslim leaders proclaimed being a separate nation thus unable to live with Hindus. Unless Hindus consolidate their ranks and become politically strong the same could happen again and again. The demographic forecasts are  already frightening  and predict that Hindus will be relegated to a minority in the next fifty years. The Muslim influxes from East and West, the Christian conversions in every state and their subversions and terrorist explosions in the heart of India must not be taken so casually. The religious based recent separation of Christian East Timor from Muslim Indonesia must serve as clear warning about the intentions of predatory religious merchants. 

Hindu electorate must be made aware of the Lawlessness spread by the Govt. by Controlling Temples, arresting the Kanchi Seer and enforcing religion based reservations:  As a matter of general systemic rule democracy empowers people. However, in India the divisive divisions in electorate are manipulated and managed to diminish people’s ability to assert.  This enhances Govt.s’ ability to operate almost in totalitarian fashion using and abusing its authority without any restraints and accountability. At times with absolute authority at its command the Govt. ends up even usurping the Parliament's and peoples sovereign powers.  Consequently in its utter contempt for the Constitution the Govt. violates and abuses the Laws of the Land. In their policy towards Hindus, Hinduism and Hindu religious infrastructure the Indian authorities have clearly demonstrated their anarchic behavior i.e., robbing Hindus to aid Muslims and Christians. Didn’t the foreign conquerors of India, Muslims & Christians included, use the same policy of loot, plunder and suppression against Hindus? Is that what Hindus should be expecting from GOI? 

Further, realizing that the politically motivated and biased anti- Hindu governance has created many unwarranted problems, and since Hindus intend to function within the existing constitutional framework, they could surely set up a strong Vote Bank and put it to use during all future elections, including occasional by- elections, thus electing only those who support Hindu causes. The members of other religious formations do exactly that. Such a development will most certainly send a befitting message to both the federal and state governments of India. The outcome could also have salutary impact upon the a) demand for exoneration of the Kanchi Seer, b) denationalization of temples, c) Govt. retreat from Ram Sethu project and d) letting Hindus pursue their religious missions as freely as other religious formations do.  

15) A nationwide movement needed for Restoring the Prestige of H.H. Kanchi Shankaracharya :  It is suggested that nationalist Hindus should particularly launch Hindu Jagran  Groups in all towns and cities as a first step toward restoring the Kanchi Seer's prestige and glory and coduct : a) awareness campaign on the unwarranted arrest of the Kanchi Seer and assault on the institution;  b) awareness campaign against Govt. interference and exploitation in Hindu temples and institutions, which he would not approve; and c) work for dharma prasar and dharma samsthapana, in the footsteps of the Seer. He would go to the Dalit bastis, meet with Dalits, help build and inaugurate temples for them, provide financial help and thus integrate with mainstream Hindus. 

The Seer has been allegedly punished under the pressure from Christian missionaries who were terrified by Shankaracharya boldly countering their conversion propaganda. His extensive charity work was increasingly luring India's poor away from Christian missionaries. The number of hospitals, school and charity organizations opened by him came as a boon for the poor people.  

16) No Guts No Glory!  Hindus must bear in mind that courage, determination and sacrifice is needed for awareness campaigns. Such movements include peaceful and legal protests - focusing on issues and goals that activists would be passionate about and that would serve the community. Participation by Hindu activists is essential across the country for sustained and successful efforts on so many vital issues simultaneously. It must also be noted that the adversaries have vast financial resources and the media backing and Jihadists even go up to sacrificing lives for their cause. Hindus cannot rely on prayers and hopes alone for that can assuredly get them only exploitation, subjugation, defeat and plunder as during the times of Ghazni and Ghauri ! They must remember and follow the motto of god helps those who help themselves. 

Success requires Focus and Sustained effort:  initially there were strong protests at the time of Seer's arrest but they soon fizzled out because of lack of commitment to the issue and inadequate financial and manpower resources in Hindu Organizations.  Only a sustained nationwide effort could succeed against the vested bureaucratic, political and minority religious operatives.   

17)  Appeal to patriots , nationalists , dharma bhaktas and Swami jis for providing Leadership in organizing and guiding the Hindu Samaj:  The exoneration of the Kanchi Seer presents us an opportunity and a challenge for initiating "dharma raksha" and "dharma samsthapana" as Lord Ram did by defeating the evil "adharmik" Ravana.  The decimation of Hindu religious infrastructure, social integration of Dalits and the arrest of H.H. Kanchi Shankaracharya are other serious issues that could be included in the agenda for building a powerful movement. The current coalition govt. in New Delhi consisting of minority parties is unwilling and even incapable of dealing with the serious challenges, apprehensions and issues faced by Hindus.  Hence, Hindus themselves must take the initiative and assume Leadership role in all fields , including  political governance, religious freedom and resurgence, and the media. 

 In view of the above stated grounds may we humbly suggest that patriotic and nationalist Hindus, dharma bhaktas and Acharyas recognize the challenges before us during these tumultuous times and provide leadership for actively guiding the community towards 'dharma raksha" and "dharma samsthapana.” To this end, these issues must remain as a priority fixture on the Hindu agenda and must be thoroughly emphasized over and over again during every election cycle. The other religious formations particularly the Muslims and Christians in a political and electoral sense use religion as a factor for advancing their interests. Despite their liberal and broadminded qualities the Hindus must learn to do likewise. Their votes are equally valuable, significant and precious. They must be put to good use for nation building and ending "Kaurava" Govt. control and corruption in temples that shackles and debilitates Hinduism. The Hindu ballots must serve as bullets for those who conspire to destroy us.  

Dr. Jagan Kaul 
September 17, 2007
Krishan Bhatnagar
Hindu Jagran Forum (USA)   

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Attachment A

 Will the `secular' media heed Justice Reddy's warning?

S Gurumurthy:

Newindpress.com, January 14, 2005

Finally, the highest court intervened in the Shankaracharya case effectively and soothingly too. The media had to highlight the Supreme Court judgment, and did it well too.

But it kept out of print an earlier and profound judgment of the Andhra Pradesh High Court on the very Shankaracharya issue. Since the High Court had indicted the `secular' media, the judgment was effectively censored by the media, understandably. The Shankaracharya was arrested at Mehboobnagar in Andhra Pradesh where he was camping at a textile mill premises. With his arrest, commenced an unprecedented avalanche of yellow journalism in all media. Two leading newspapers of Andhra Pradesh published a series of articles linking the acharya's name to the death of two young girls in the mill premises.

When? Some six years back. The media reports were to this effect: ``No action was taken by the police. Relatives of the management were involved. Also, at the same time, Jayendra Saraswati came to the mill and performed pujas and yagnas. There were rumors that the girls were killed as `bali' (sacrifice).''

The media also foretold that the labour union would file a writ petition in the High Court. And, indeed, it was filed forthwith. The High Court found the press clippings of the `secular' media as the material basis for the writ plea.

Justice Narasimha Reddy, before whom the petition came up, asked the counsel for the petitioner what was the basis for referring to Jayendra Saraswati in the writ petition. The counsel apologised and agreed to delete a part of the writ plea. Still, the court found the acharya's name elsewhere. This forced the petitioner's counsel to further apologise and also ask for the court's permission to withdraw the petition.

The court did allow him to withdraw the petition, but not before declaring what is `dharma'. But neither the withdrawal of the writ petition nor how Justice Narasimha Reddy gently and with great dignity reprimanded the media and wisely counselled them as to their dharma found place in print. Why did the media suppress it? Read on.

Justice Reddy says that the ``only provocation for the petitioner appears to be the recent unfortunate happenings in relation to a seer'' of Kanchi mutt. The judge describes the Matt as ``an ancient, prestigious, glorious and reputed institution with almost 2500 years' history.'' He says that the petitioner was `swayed' by the media and ``did not want to lag behind in the unprecedented process of denigration of the religious institution.'' That is, the denigrating petition was provoked by the media.

The judge says further it is ``sad and sorrowful that an institution of such glory that withstood foreign invasions and social revolutions'' over the past 2500 years ``is virtually targeted and persecuted in an organised manner in an independent country.''

Who are all involved in the process of denigration? Justice Reddy answers. ``Not only individuals, but also a section of the institutions, such as the State and the Press, appears to be determined to belittle and besmirch the Peetam.'' Justice Reddy also says ``the role of courts, though indirect, is by no means insignificant.''

He notes that ``the proponents of human rights, fair play and dignity to the individuals and institutions have maintained stoic silence.'' He goes on to say that ``a powerful section is celebrating it or watching it with indifference.'' Justice Reddy says this `perfidy' against the mutt has `shocked' the country and beyond.

The judge says that in every country `certain institutions', like the Kanchi mutt, constitute `their conscience and pride' and irrespective of the form of government, `they are respected and revered'. What should be done when aberrations occur in such revered institution? Says the judge, ``Wise and prudent men make all attempts to address them in isolation and try to protect the institution,'' and unwise and short-sighted men ``protect the system, not the institution.''

By this short-sighted approach in the long run, the society will head toward self-destruction. The situation will be more serious ``when the targeted institution is the conscious-keeper of the country,'' warned Justice Reddy.

Then Justice Reddy alludes to the sensitive subject of the judiciary itself. He recalls that some time ago, the Chief Justice of India said that the `reputation' of a `considerable number of judges' is `not above board'. He says that it is `a matter of concern for everyone', but that can never ``constitute a justification to denounce the judiciary as a whole.''

He says, ``the amount of disrepute and sacrilege inflicted upon Sri Jayendra Saraswati, as of now, is so enormous that it has hardly any comparables,'' adding that ``harshest possible words were used directly or in innuendo'' against him. ``Today he is subjected to similar treatment as was Draupati in the court of Kauravas.'' The ``importance of spiritual institutions can by no means be underestimated'' in `building and shaping' a `country' or `society', the judge added.

On the expression ``law taking its course'' which has gained considerable currency these days, Justice Reddy says, ``with due respect, it is not true at least in part.'' For this to be true, says the judge, ``the prosecuting agency should present the case honestly, the witnesses depose truly, the provisions of the law are clear, and the adjudicator is efficient and honest.''

If the prosecution depends on the ``whims of the agency or the government of the day, if the law is framed keeping certain individuals in view, if the witnesses keep changing their versions and if the adjudicator is not up to expected standards, the law will not take its own course, ''the judge courageously pointed out. ``The way in which the cases are foisted or withdrawn, particularly with the change of governments,'' and ``the manner in which the witnesses come forward with conflicting versions'' illustrate why law will not take its own course.

Emphasising the role of the media in criminal justice, the judge says ``in recent times, the freedom of the prosecuting agency and that of the courts in dealing with the cases before them freely and objectively has been substantially eroded by the overactive and pro-active stances in the presentations made by the print and electronic media. Of late, Justice Reddy points out, it has assumed dangerous proportions.

The freedom of expression is, he says, ``subject to gross misuse.'' Pointing out how the petition against the acharya was a product of press clippings, Justice Reddy says that it ``indicates the miserable levels to which the glorious profession of journalism has been brought to.''

At one stage, Justice Reddy says, the court thought of issuing notices to the newspapers and the TV channels. But thinking that if proper message is conveyed, effective results can be expected, it was not pursued, says the judge. But warned Justice Reddy, ``If they still pursue the same path, the day would not be too far when they would be shown their place in the society.''

Understand why the `secular' media have not spoken a word about Justice Reddy? Because, it would shame them. That is the reason why. Will the `secular' media heed Justice Reddy's warning, at least in future? Whether it does or not, Justice Reddy's judgment should be embossed in gold.

Writer's email: comment@gurumurthy.net

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Attachment B

Devastation of Hindu temple infrastructure under Govt. Control:

The abundance of available evidence has proved beyond any doubt that under government control, the Hindu temples and institutions have not only been exploited injuriously but are also being driven to their ultimate extinction.  Here are a few examples: 

Nationwide, the famous temples of Jagannath Puri, Tirupati, Kashi Vishwanath, Vaishno Devi, Shirdi ,  Siddhi Vinayaka, Guruvayoor, Chamunda Devi, Dattapeeth, Kali Mandir of Patiala, Amarnath, Badrinath, Kedarnath, etc. have already been taken under the Govt. control. Their management is under the authority of non-religious and at times anti-Hindu hands.