Union Minister Renuka Chowdhury on Tuesday claimed that allegations being made against her were part of a "political conspiracy to divert attention from the actual issue of attacks on women by lumpen elements"

"Of course it is a conspiracy. They are trying to divert and dilute the actual issue and politicising it," the women and child development minister told reporters in New Delhi [Images].

She was reacting to the criminal case, filed against her before the chief judicial magistrate court in Mangalore on Monday, by a group of people including Mangalore mayor Ganesh [Images] Hosabettu.

While maintaining that she was not yet aware of the case, she hit back at those who had filed the case, saying, "Instead of rectifying themselves, these goondas and lumpen elements come out of jail and make statements and that is accepted by the government. I am surprised...they should look into their own backyard before they talk about anyone".

The case was reportedly lodged after Chowdhury did not apologise for her statement about Mangalore residents within the three-day 'deadline' given to her.

The complaint said Chowdhury had cast aspersions on the people of Mangalore by stating that the place had been Talibanised.