Lifting ban on RSS in MP a 'valid act' : BJP

New Delhi, Sept 28 (UNI) Taking exception to Congress President Sonia Gandhi demanding President A P J Abdul Kalam to reverse the decision of the Madhya Pradesh government allowing the government officials to take part in Rashtiya Swayamsevak Sangh shakhas, the BJP today asserted that it was a ''valid order passed by lawful government.'' In his initial reaction to the Mrs Gandhi's letter to President Kalam, BJP Spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said Mrs Gandhi should not forget that RSS was a legal organisation involved in cultural and social service activities. Its help rendered to the victims of several natural disasters floods and earthquake was not only been appreciated by leaders but public at large, he noted.

He said Mrs Gandhi should also bear it in mind that RSS was not banned by Jawaharlal Nehru or Indira Gandhi when they were in power.

The ban imposed on RSS during Emergency days and in the aftermath of Ayodhya demolition could not withstand legal scrutiny and hence the ban was held as 'invalid'. "We can only say that Mrs Gandhi is writing such letters for petty political considerations and the last ban was imposed in Madhya Pradesh during Digvijay Singh's regime that too ahead of elections,'' he remarked. "The party will come out with a proper and fitting response to the letter", Mr Prasad added.

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