Anthem Row: Book Kanchi Seer if Cognisable Offence Proven, Says HC

Vijayendra Saraswathi reportedly remained seated when the Tamil anthem was being played at the event in Madras

Kanchi Mutt pontiff Vijayendra Saraswathi.

(PhotoCourtesy: YouTube Screenshot/Rajiv Malhotra Official)

The Madras High Court on Friday 2 March, directed the police to register an FIR against the head seer of the Kanchi Mutt, Vijayendra Saraswathi, for allegedly disrespecting the Tamil anthem, if a cognisable offence was proven.

Justice M S Ramesh gave the direction based on a petition filed by Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam Vice-President S Doraisamy. The petition sought an FIR against the seer for allegedly not standing during the recital of 'Tamil Thai Vaazthu' at a function in Chennai on 23 January.

The petitioner alleged that the pontiff remained seated when the song was being played, with an intention to insult it, and contended that the seer committed an offence punishable under relevant laws.

Doraisamy submitted that he had moved the court, as the police had failed to act on his complaint in this regard.

The petitioner alleges that Saraswathi remained seated on the dais, with his eyes closed, when the Tamil anthem was being played, but stood up, when the national anthem was played at the same function.

Vijayendra Saraswathi was appointed the 70th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram after the recent demise of seer Jayendra Saraswathi.

(With inputs from PTI)

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