In a novel protest, the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party's women's wing on Wednesday sent a saffron saree to Union Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar for his reported remarks that women should cut down the purchase of sarees and going to the cinema, to meet the hike in the price of petroleum products.

In a letter to the minister, Lalitha Subhash, state president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, said his remarks were highly objectionable and condemnable.

"We are sending you a saree to show our displeasure and unhappiness with regard to your comments on purchase of sarees by women, especially during this festive season," she said.

"Withdraw your statement unconditionally or accept your inability to adopt people oriented price policies in petroleum ministry," she said in the letter.