While addressing a rally in Jaipur on Wednesday, Gandhi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi got a woman to defend him in Parliament on the Rafale fighter jet deal.

"The watchman with a 56-inch chest ran away and told a woman, Sitharaman, defend me. I won't be able to defend myself, defend me. For two and a half hours, the woman could not defend him," Gandhi said in his address in Hindi.

Taking suo-motu cognizance, the NCW, in a strongly worded notice to Gandhi, condemned his remarks and asked him to give a satisfactory explanation.

"The remarks made are extremely misogynistic, offensive, unethical and shows an extreme disrespect towards the dignity and honour of women in general. The Commission strongly condemns such irresponsible and disparaging views," the NCW said in the notice.

On Wednesday, NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma had informed IANS about sending a notice to Gandhi over the issue.

Gandhi also came under attack for his remarks from Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.