DHAKA: A minister from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party has said rapes happen ‘accidentally’ in the latest controversial remarks by a politician amid renewed anger over attacks against women.

Ramsevak Paikra, the home minister of central Chhattisgarh state who is responsible for law and order, said late on Saturday that rapes did not happen on purpose.

‘Such incidents (rapes) do not happen deliberately. These kinds of incidents happen accidentally,’ Paikra, of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which also rules at the national level, told reporters, according to The Straits Times.

Paikra, who was asked for his thoughts on the gang-rape and lynching of two girls in a neighbouring state, later said he had been misquoted. His original remarks were broadcast on television networks.

BDST: 1420 HRS, JUNE 08, 2014