Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh on Tuesday kicked up a row by saying that people donning "saffron robes" are committing rapes which are taking place in "temples", and thus defaming the Sanatan Dharma (ancient religion).

However, within hours, he tempered his remarks saying Hindu saints are the "symbol of our eternal faith", and that he himself is a follower of the Sanatan Dharma. Earlier in the day, Singh told a gathering of ascetics here that "a person after parting ways with his family becomes a sadhu (monk)...and turns to spirituality. But today people wearing saffron robes are selling 'churan' (fake potions)".