Two Indian television channels censured by the government for airing footage depicting a man dressed as Mahatma Gandhi performing a pole-dance on Friday expressed regret for their action, saying they aired the video to expose how the father of the nation was being insulted.

"Our intention is not to denigrate the honour of our father of the nation, but to ensure action on the vulgar and cheap act that is available for public view on the website for quite some time," said a spokesman for Sahara, one of the channels that beamed the clip posted on the website youtube.com.

Emphasising that the channel had 'immense respect and affection' towards Gandhi, the channel said, "Even then if this news has hurt some of our brethren and countrymen, we, from the core of our heart, regret it."

Ashutosh, managing editor of IBN 7, the other channel censured by the government, said its intention was to show how the father of the nation was being insulted.

"We are equally hurt and disturbed and share the outrage of fellow countrymen. We are clarifying our outrage over the incident to the viewers," Ashutosh said.

The clarification from the channels came hours after the government took 'serious exception' to news channels airing clips depicting a man dressed as Gandhi performing a pole-dance, and said action would be taken against them.

Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said it amounted to 'an assault to the dignity of the father of the nation' and asked his ministry to give 'due cognisance to the matter and take necessary action' as per law.