As the remark sparked an outrage, BJP asked the minister to also withdraw the remark.
Congress dubbed as "shameful" the remark that came against the backdrop of a sombre mood in the country after the Delhi gangrape incident and a rash of crimes against women. It also demanded immediate dismissal of the minister.
"Only when Sitaji crossed the Lakshman rekha, she was kidnapped by Ravan...If Sitaji (woman) crosses the Lakshman rekha, then 'Sitaharan' (crime against them) is bound to take place as Ravans are out there," Vijaywargiya said, invoking an incident from epic Ramayana while seeking to explain the reason behind the recent spate of crimes against women.
"When people cross their limits, deterioration is bound to happen. It applies to everyone in the society, men or women," the state industries minister said.
The remark did not go down well with the BJP.
"The party(BJP) does not approve of it and disassociates itself from the same and the party has asked the Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya to kindly withdraw it," BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad told reporters in New Delhi.
Vijayvargiya said he apologises for the remark if it had hurt the sentiments of women activists."If women activists have been hurt by my statement, then I am sorry."
Clarifying that the "Lakshman rekha' remark was misunderstood, he said if it was being considered as against women only, then he has no problems in withdrawing it.
"Let me clarify that my statement was not women centric and it is applicable to all in the society...Politicians, media. But if it is being considered only against women then I have no problem in withdrawing it," Vijaywargiya told reporters after +Paad Pujan+ (worshipping feet of women) at Rau, near Indore.
The minister's remark drew sharp reaction from Congress with AICC General Secretary and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh.
"In Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister is running beti bachao andolan and many other schemes for women and calls himself a 'brother' to all the women. If he is thinking in interest of women then he should ask for Vijayvargiya's resignation," he said.
