West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Swapan Debnath. West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Swapan Debnath.

West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Swapan Debnath sparked an outrage on Tuesday with his remarks against women from the opposition CPM, saying they "stage" their rape to discredit the ruling party in the state.

"They have often torn their own blouses and claimed they were assaulted," Debnath said while addressing a rally in Burdwan, adding, "We say that a police officer arrests his own son for a promotion. Similarly, we know many women's wing leaders of CPI-M who used to tear their own blouse and accuse others of molestation."

When someone in the crowd reportedly clapped for the statements, Debnath further said, "If they have a fight with their husband at home and are attacked, they will frame a Trinamool person for it."

The CPM has slammed the remarks and called for action against the minister. "These comments have no place in politics or democracy. The question really is you and I are outraged about it. How is it that the chief minister of Bengal is not outraged? What is the standard of Mamata's politics?" CPM leader Brinda Karat told Headlines Today.