BHUBANESWAR: After Maoists threatened to kill Puri Gobardhan Peetha’s chief Sankaracharya Nischalananda Saraswati, the Orissa government has decided to provide him with Z category security.
Sankaracharya’s office on Tuesday received an anonymous letter, threatening to kill him. The letter was posted from Kandhamal, police said. A complaint was lodged at Sea Beach police station in Puri.
A man identifying himself as a Maoist warned the Sankaracharya against indulging in communal activities. “Those who spread communal hatred will be eliminated like Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati,” he warned. Swami Saraswati, 86, was a senior Viswa Hindu Parishad leader. He had been spearheading the anti-conversion movement in Kandhamal district. He was killed on August 23 by unknown assailants at Jaleshpata Ashram. The police also fear a Maoist attack on prominent RSS workers of Kandhamal.
An additional superintendent of police will remain in charge of Sankaracharya’s security. “We are taking utmost care so that no harm is caused to the Sankaracharaya,” said DGP Manmohan Praharaj.
Addressing a new conference here on Wednesday, the Sankaracharaya said he did not fear for his life. “I have received a number of threatening letters. I don’t give importance to such things,” he said, adding that he would continue to work for uplift of the poor and preservation of Hinduism.
Sankaracharya said he did not believe that the threat came from the Maoists. “They never interfere in religious activities. In the name of Maoists, others are trying to defame the Hindu religion and kill me,” he said.uri Sankaracharya
