A man has slapped India's agriculture minister in the face, apparently to draw attention to rising food prices.

Sharad Pawar was talking to reporters at a political function Thursday when the man attacked him. TV news reports said the man was shouting slogans about rising food prices.

Television footage showed the man brandishing a knife as he was dragged away by security officials and Pawar's aides. CNN-IBN TV reported that he was detained by police.

Pawar was not seriously hurt.

Such incidents have become increasingly common in India, where ministers and other officials have had shoes thrown at them and their offices ransacked by angry citizens.

The incidents have usually been over political decisions, corruption and real or perceived injustices.