The Karnataka government plans to ban "indecent" depiction of images of Hindu gods and goddesses, particularly on dresses and cracker packs.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party wants to bring in a legislation to impose the ban. Kota Sreenivas Poojary, the minister for muzrai department (department of religious and charitable endowments) on Thursday said the government had received several complaints on misuse of images of Hindu gods and goddesses on T-shirts, dresses and cracker packs.

He added there were many instances of bars being named after gods and goddesses. "Such acts have hurt religious feelings and made the government think of the ban."

The government's plan, announced by Poojary on Wednesday, has attracted criticism from some people on the grounds that it violates the freedom of expression.

Poojary, however, stood firm and went on to unveil another plan. He declared his department was also thinking of regulating illegal roadside shrines.

"Directions would be issued to register all makeshift places of worship with local authorities. People who are involved in managing these places are promoting superstition and exploiting innocent people," he said.

Poojary said the state government was planning to observe a day every year as Dharmika Dinacharane (Religious Day), and the date would be announced soon.