Two senior Indian politicians were forced to resign after they were caught watching a pornographic film during a session of their state assembly.

Lakshman Savadi and C C Patil, both members of the ruling conservative Bharatiya Janata Party in the western state of Karnataka, were filmed by television news crews in Bangalore watching the mobile phone footage during a debate in the chamber. A third minister also stood down after he was accused of providing the clip. The video appeared to show a woman dancing, undressing and then having sex.

Mr Savadi, the co-operation minister, and Mr Patil, the minister for women and child welfare, claimed they had been watching a clip about the Middle East.

"It was a video of an incident in Iran and then some other kind of visuals appeared," Mr Patil told the TV9 channel. "I admit we were wrong in viewing the video in the assembly, but we were alert to the happenings in the house."

An inquiry has been ordered after opposition parties demanded the resignation of the ministers.

"I have resigned to prevent any embarrassment to the party. All three of us will prove our innocence," Mr Savadi said yesterday.

Mr Patil has previously suggested that professional women should "cover up" to avoid sexual harassment or attacks.