Source:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/11/01/stories/2002110106720400.htm
CHENNAI, INDIA, October 31, 2002: The Hindu religion does not subscribe
to
untouchability, which is prevalent in some rural areas, states
Sankaracharya
Jayendra Saraswathi. Untouchability exists, His Holiness believes,
because
of illiteracy and can be eradicated only by educating people. His
Kanchipuram Mutt is taking steps to eradicate it. Referring to a recent
court ruling that anyone with the requisite qualification could be made
a
temple priest, he said already there were thousands of temples in the
State
where nonbrahmin priests performed the worship. While denying that he
was
instrumental in bringing the Tamil Nadu bill banning forcible
conversions,
His Holiness did say th! at he supported the bill. At present there was
no bar
on people carrying out charitable activities and religious
organizations had
every right to do so. The bill objected to it only when it was done
with a
motive to convert people, he said.
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