• On Secularism: A second Look 97

Before I proceed to deal with the subject of my talk today, I think it necessary to make a reference to a contemporary event which has a relevance to the topic of my talk. The contemporary event I am referring to is the arrest of Jayendra Saraswati styled as the Shankaracharya of Kamkoti Peetham. Adya Shankaracharya established four monasteries (mutts) at four places in India; Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri and Shringeri. The priests heading these Mutts have been traditionally dubbed as Shankaracharyas. Kamkoti Mutt is not the one established by Adya Shankaracharya. However, the Hindus, at least in the South, have been revering the head of this mutt as a Shankaracharya. Mutts are monasteries and not temples, though a temple may be attached to a monastery. Heads of these mutts are concerned with religious affairs only and are not expected to dabble in political affairs. The last incumbent of the office of Shankaracharya of Kanchi wa