New Delhi, Aug. 29: Culture and tourism minister Mahesh Sharma today appeared to backtrack on his suggestion that foreign visitors should avoid wearing skirts, saying he had only "religious places" in mind when he made the remark.

"I cannot dictate terms to anybody on what to wear and what not to wear. I had said that only in the context of religious and holy places," the minister said today after his comments provoked criticism.

"I myself have two daughters who wear skirts, jeans and pants... so advising others on what one should wear and what not is out of question."

Yesterday, responding to questions from reporters in Agra, Sharma had said foreign visitors were given a list of dos and don'ts after they touched down. "When tourists arrive at the airports, they are given a welcome kit which has a card with dos and don'ts... it has instructions like if they are in small areas, they should not roam around alone at night or wear skirts," he was quoted as saying.

At least two Opposition leaders had criticised Sharma for his remarks. "India gives everybody the liberty to be permissive, modern, extremely liberal in their habits, disposition and even in the clothes that they wear," Congress leader Manish Tewari said, adding the minister should recognise this "diversity".

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted: "Women had greater freedom to wear clothes of their choice in Vedic times than they have in Modi times."

Today, Sharma asked if there was "anything wrong" in handing out a list that includes topics like clothing and security. "Many other countries in the world also issue such advisories to visitors," he said. Officials in Sharma's office said that since May last year, the tourism ministry has been handing a booklet - Welcome to India: Tips to tourists - to travellers at immigration counters.

Sharma today said tourist footfall had registered a growth of over eight per cent this year over the corresponding period last year, adding there wouldn't have been such an increase if the advisory had been "taken negatively".

The booklet warns visitors against accepting "lifts" from strangers. "Dress codes for some religious places may include covering your head, being barefoot," it says.

An official in his ministry, who was behind drafting the advisory, said countries like Italy, Israel and Sri Lanka too had similar guidelines in place for foreigners.