Close on the heels of the Indian flag incident, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has now received several complaints of Amazon selling flip-flops with Mahatma Gandhi’s image.
Some Twitter users have tagged Swaraj in their tweets complaining that the beach sandals with Gandhi’s image were being sold on the Amazon US site.
When asked, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup did not specifically mention about the issue, saying, “As a follow up to the matter regarding the sale of doormats with the Indian flag on Amazon, our Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to convey to Amazon that while providing a platform for third party vendors, they should respect Indian sensitivities and sentiments.”
The posting on the Amazon says, “CafePress — gandhi Flip Flops — Flip Flops, Funny Thong Sandles, Beach Sandles” with a listed price of USD 16.99.
Earlier this week, after she received a complaint about Amazon Canada selling doormats depicting Indian flag on its site, Swaraj reacted sharply and asked the e-retailer to withdraw the products and tender an unconditional apology, failing which no official of Amazon will be granted Indian visa and the ones issued earlier will also be rescinded.
Following the stern message, Amazon expressed regret for “offending” Indian sentiments and informed Swaraj about removal of the offensive product from its Canadian website.
Social media users have been incensed by the latest revelation.
Here are some of their reactions;
WTH …. After Indian Flag Doormats now Amazon US has Flip Flops with Gandhi Image .. DISGUSTING .. SAD n SHAME .. father of nation … pic.twitter.com/cve9JXQSi2
— RJ ALOK (@OYERJALOK) January 14, 2017
. @amazonIN must rollback it's slippers with face of Mahatma Gandhi on it. Respect our leaders and avoid controversyhttps://t.co/4z2oWZ8iDE
— Ashok Tanwar (@AshokTanwar_INC) January 14, 2017
Has @SushmaSwaraj raised the alarm? No, she hasn't because of Sangh's sheer disbelief in Gandhi and his values. https://t.co/w5AspBm4cv
— Gaurav Pandhi गौरव पांधी (@GauravPandhi) January 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/SoGe89/status/820537617393455104
AamirKhan spoke of intolerance-Bhakts boycotted Snapdeal.
Are Bhakts boycotting Amazon selling tricolor doormats& slippers with Gandhi pics?— Gp Capt Christopher (Retd) (@bcchristopher) January 15, 2017
#Amazon selling #Gandhi slippers.It shd be banned in India.While providing platform fr 3rd party vendors,shd respect sensitivities,sentiment
— Shaina NC (@ShainaNC) January 14, 2017
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