New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS): Accusing the BJP leadership of being "misogynist", the Congress on Sunday demanded an apology from Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar for reportedly claiming that most rape cases were "fake" and took place amongst people who knew each other well.

"Misogyny has become a buzzword for BJP leadership. Humiliating India's women has become a characteristic style of BJP leaders. The Talibani thought process of the BJP leadership particularly Khattar has been exposed," Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said here.

Surjewala blamed the Bharatiya Janata Party for Harayana becoming a crime hub and rising incidents of crimes against women, particularly rape and molestation.

Asking Khattar to apologise for his derogatory remarks, Surjewala also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi breaks his silence on BJP leaders often making sexist remarks.

Addressing a rally in Kalka town of Panchkula district, Khattar on Friday reportedly said that 80-90 per cent of the rape and molestation incidents took place amongst people who knew each other well.

"They roam around together for some time and if one day they get into some quarrel, they file an FIR claiming that they have been raped."

In the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, Khattar had made another sexist remark asking women to "run around naked if they wanted freedom".

He also came under fire from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal who indicted his Haryana counterpart for "justifying rape".