Hours after Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s warned the e-commerce giant Amazon of not issuing Indian Visa to any of their officials, Amazon removed the article showing Indian tricolour themed doormats for sale on their Canadian platform.
A spokesperson from Amazon’s Seattle HQ confirmed that the products have been removed from the website.
Earlier on January 11, MoE Sushma Swaraj warned that if Amazon didn’t remove the product and apologise then none of their officials would get Indian visas, plus visas issued earlier would also be cancelled.
In a tweet, Sushma said,”Amazon must apologise and remove all the products insulting our national flag immediately. If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the visas issued earlier.”
Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
Keeping the Indian High commission in the loop, Sushma said,”Indian High Commission in Canada: This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level.”
Indian High Commission in Canada : This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level. https://t.co/L4yI3gLk3h
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017
The issue was brought under notice by a twitterati named Atul Bhobe who posted a picture on twitter and tagging Sushma Swaraj, he wrote,” @SushmaSwaraj Madam. Amazon Canada must be censured and warned not to sell India flag doormats. Please take action.”
@SushmaSwaraj Madam. Amazon Canada must be censured and warned not to sell India flag doormats. Please take action. pic.twitter.com/td4KXlDUQL
— Atul Bhobe (@atulbhobe) January 11, 2017
While Amazon has not made any official statement or issued any response yet. However, it responded to those who raised the question on the sale of tri-colour themed doormats. On twitter, @AmazonHelp replied,”These products were never sold on Amazon.in. We have escalated this to our concerned teams and are working on the issue.”
