Hazare's detention is rehearsal of emergency: Nitish

"It is a murder of democracy... It is also a rehearsal of emergency which people will never tolerate", Kumar told reporters while sharply reacting to the detention of Hazare and his aides in New Delhi earlier today.

"It seems that the people sitting in Delhi don't have the realisation of democratic values... It is sheer desperation of those sitting at the Centre", he said, adding, the act reflected that "the Central government is afraid of the mass support the movement has".

"It can never be tolerated in democracy", he said and demanded that Hazare be unconditionally released and should have full freedom to hold an agitation in "a peaceful and non-violent way".

"The tactics remind the people of the time of emergency", he said recalling what the Congress stand was after the emergency. "Now similar situation exists".