CHANDIGARH: A khap panchayat in Haryana's Jind district has blamed consumption of chowmein behind the growing incidents of

rapes

in the state saying it leads to hormonal imbalance.

"To my understanding, consumption of fast food contributes to such incidents. Chowmein leads to hormonal imbalance evoking an urge to indulge in such acts," said Jitender Chhatar, a resident of Jind's Chhatar village and thua khap panchayat leader.

"You also know the impact of chowmein, which is a spicy food, on our body. Hence, our elders also advised to consume light and nutritious food," Chhatar added.

Last week, khap panchayats had evoked outrage after Sube Singh, a khap leader, advocated lowering of age of marriage for girls from 18 years to 16 years on the grounds that young girls are vulnerable to rapes and should be married off earlier.

Om Prakash Chautala, leader of Opposition, too backed the khaps' demand while Congress leaders including Haryana congress chief Phool Chand Mullana and education minister Geeta Bhukkal had stated that growing rape cases were a conspiracy against the state government.

Dharamvir Goyat, another Congress leader, had sparked off a controversy by saying that 90% of the rape cases were consensual.

Former minister and Congress MLA Sampat Singh said on Monday that "lack of intellectual growth" was the reason behind rising crime against women.

"People might have prospered but have not become mature enough to understand their responsibilities towards society and in some cases towards their families even. Generally, families hardly monitor the activities of their children, especially the sons, who are later found to be involved in such acts," said Sampat.