Monday, June 27 2005 10:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Pune: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Pramod Mahajan yesterday (Jun 26, 2005) said that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had played an important role during emergency to safeguard democracy.

"RSS played a major role to ensure that the spirit and ethos of democracy remained safe in the country despite curtailment of freedom of the people," Mahajan said addressing a gathering to mark the 30th anniversary of the day when emergency was announced by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Over one lakh people, mostly belonging to Opposition parties, were imprisoned for over a year in different jails under the dreaded Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), he said and wondered why despite making so much sacrifices, RSS was still branded as a "fascist organisation".

Around 500 people from the state, who were jailed under MISA, were also present at the function organised by the BJP.

Maharashtra BJP unit president Nitin Gadkari said if the party was considered among the powerful ones today, it was all due to the sufferings its leaders had undergone during the emergency.