SourceKANCHEEPURAM, INDIA, Sunday 14, 2004: “I am going to remove you from the leadership of the Kanchi Math,” goes the letter purportedly written by an angry middle-aged man on August 30 this year and reproduced in a leading Tamil daily. “You are misusing your authority.” On September 3, four days after he supposedly shot off that letter, five men in…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, November 13, 2004: Shankacharya of Kanchi Jayendra Saraswati will have to stay in lock up at least till Wednesday. The Madras High Court has adjourned the hearing of the bail application of Shankacharya till Wednesday. After the order, clashes broke out between Shankacharya supporters and Dravida Kazhgam movement (DK) workers. However, the police have now restored normalcy and…
SourceNEW DELHI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: Reacting strongly against the arrest of Kanchi Shankaracharya Swami Jayendra Saraswati in a murder case, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday called for a two-day nationwide bandh from Saturday to lodge its protest. “The Shankaracharya had been implicated in false cases, and his arrest has shocked Hindus all over the world turning the festival…
Source NEW DELHI and CHENNAI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi’s arrest following an investigation into the murder of Shankararaman, who managed the accounts of the Kanchi Mutt a few years back, has shocked his critics and devotees alike. “Can the Pope be arrested from the Church of England?” International Secretary of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Praveen Togadia asked…
SourceBANGALORE, INDIA, November 13, 2004: He is known to give audiences to the most powerful in the country and even the world. He stands before no one and is perceived to be the seventh most powerful man in the country ahead of the President and Prime Minister and behind the likes of Ambanis and Tatas. His address is Kanchi Kamakoti…
SourceWASHINGTON, D.C., November 11, 2004: US President George W Bush has sent his greetings to the Indian community on the occasion of Deepavali, the festival of lights, the first celebration to be held in the White House after his re-election. “I send greetings to all those celebrating Deepavali, the Festival of Light. Observed by millions round the world, Deepavali is…
SourceTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA, INDIA, November 12, 2004: The centuries-old Sabarimala hill shrine in Kerala is readying to receive millions of pilgrims. All arrangements are complete for the commencement of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season that begins Nov 16 and goes on to the third week of January. “Taking into consideration the dramatic increase of pilgrims every season, several new pilgrim-friendly facilities like…
HPICHENNAI, INDIA, November 13, 2004: The sensational arrest of the Shankaracarya of Kanchi, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, has resulted in over 100 news stories. A few are summarized below. For the complete list, click here
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: (HPI note: This news of the arrest of one of India’s most prominent spiritual leaders has arrived on a day when HPI is not usually issued, hence this special edition.) Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati was on Thursday night arrested in connection with a murder case. The 60-year-old pontiff (other reports say 70) of the Kanchi…
SourceCHENNAI, INDIA, November 12, 2004: High drama was witnessed at the airport in Chennai when Senior Pontiff of the Kanchi mutt Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, who was arrested in connection with the murder case, was brought to Chennai from Hyderabad in the wee hours of Friday. As the Special Aircraft touched down at the Airport at Chennai around 0245 hrs, the…