Kanchi seer Jayendra Saraswati on Wednesday voiced his opposition to self-styled godman Nityananda's appointment as the head of the Madurai Adheenam.
"Madurai Adeenam is one of the oldest mutts in India and headed by famous saints like Thirgnana Sambandar. The pontiffs of Madurai Adheenam should tonsure their head and wear 'Rudraksha'," the Kanchi seer told reporters.
Nityananda has not tonsured his head. Besides this, he is involved in a sex scandal."....His appointment is not entirely acceptable," he said.
The Kanchi seer was talking to reporters after visiting the Sankara Mutt here to release the 'Panchangam' (religious almanac) prepared by Tamil Nadu Brahminar Sangam for the current 'Nandana' (spiritual) year.
The appointment of Nithyananda as head of 1,500-year-old Saivite mutt has triggered protests from several quarters, including heads of different mutts in the state, in view of pending criminal charges, including rape, against him.