So many news reel and news print and tube time has covered the Kanchi
Sankaracharya case and I have been hearing all kinds of wierd stuff
about the case. The political opponents of the TN govt. have gone on
record with glee to explain that the Supreme Court granted bail to the
Kanchi seer, very conveniently forgetting that only a CONDITIONAL bail
has been granted.
So you may ask what is the difference between a bail and a conditional
bail. A bail is awarded in circumstances wherein the court beleives
that the custody either judicial or police is unwarranted and that no
purpose would be served by keeping the accused behind bars. A
conditonal bail is given when custody either judicial or police is
unwarranted and that no purpose would be served by keeping the accused
behind bars BUT THERE IS A CHANCE OF TINKERING WITH EVIDENCE OR
FLEEING BY THE ACCUSED.( this is my understanding of the term if it is
legally incorrect - then let me know, would be glad to correct it )
Don’t ask why is there is such a chance is bail provided, because I do
not have any answers to that. What are the conditions that has been
imposed by the SC on the Kanchi Seer? Well , he has to surrender his
passport, not visit the Kanchi mutt, etc.
On the same day came the sensational twist to this already sensational
drama - the junior pontiff was arrested by the TN police barely six
hours after the SC granted bail. This added fuel to the speculation
that the TN police was on a withchunt under the aegis of the TN CM
Jayalalitha. This is the most amazing turnaround, because knowing
Jayalalitha; the press went on air and on print actually believing
this was possible.
I am NOT a supporter of Jayalalitha or her politics, but I know for
sure that she is not dumb enough to take on a religious head who is
very influential politically. She has more to lose than gain by
arresting the seer and ordering a witch hunt. The Assembly elections
are just an year away and she would not risk her political career to
settle scores with seer and that too in the broad glare of the media
and the public. The media has always remained very critical of
Jayalalitha for her autocratic style of functioning. The Hindu’s
editor N. Ram and Jayalalitha are old foes and they have been at it
with allegations and counter-allegations.
This whole drama is being watched by the DMK Chief Karunanidhi with
lot of interest. He knows this would be the turnaround he is looking
for. The widespread anger of the brahmins against Jayalalitha for
having arrested the seer would benefit DMK or its allies. The Tamil
Brahmins are not widespread supporters of the DMK, so he would not
derive much benefit and mayber the Congress would be benefactor, that
will be seen only when the results of the elections come out.
I am not writing Jayalalitha off right now, as I know she can come
back anytime and anyhow. We all have to wait for 2006 to come and show
what bearing this case on TN politics.
Jan 08
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