RSS defends 'nationalist, patriotic' Sushma Swaraj

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Sunday came to the rescue of Sushma Swaraj, who is under sharp criticism for helping controversial Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi with his travel documents, and said that the External Affairs Minister would never compromise with nationalism and patriotism.

"I know Sushma Swaraj for a long time...I can say that she is a nationalist and a patriotic woman. She has never compromised with nationalism and patriotism. She is full of human values. Whatever action she takes these, they are based on these (nationalism and patriotism). Those accusing her should look within themselves, they cannot establish something which is not true," RSS leader Indresh Kumar told ANI.

The External Affairs Minister had earlier admitted to helping Lalit Modi with his travel documents, but made it clear that she did so only on humanitarian grounds.

Amid calls for her resignation by the opposition parties, Swaraj tried to clarify her position via a series of tweets.

Swaraj said that she took a humanitarian view of Modi's case since his wife was suffering from cancer.

"Taking a humanitarian view, I conveyed to the British High Commissioner that "British Government should examine the request of Lalit Modi as per British rules and regulations. If the British Government chooses to give travel documents to Lalit Modi that will not spoil our bilateral relations," she tweeted.