From the Archives - dated January 17, 1967

Sankaracharya’s condition

Jagadguru Sri Sankaracharya of Puri appeared “exhausted and weak” and complained of burning sensation inside the stomach to-day [January 16], the 58th day of his fast against cow slaughter. The Prime Minister, addressing a meeting to-day in Rae Bareli, U.P., said she was concerned at the continuance of the fast by the Sankaracharya and hoped “some way will be found” for him to give it up. She referred to the Government decision to set up a committee to go into all aspects of the problem and added: “No Government can yield to threats and coercion if it is to function effectively.”