External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's rebuke of e-marketplace giant Amazon was felt throughout social media. The issue of a Amazon's Canada website selling Indian national flag-emblazoned doormats was raised to a fever pitch when Swaraj issued a warning to Amazon on Twitter directing the e-tailer to take off the product and serve an unconditional apology. The extent of the warning was such that many saw it as a threat as Swaraj said if Amazon didn't apologise, she will not grant visa to its employees in India and revoke the ones issued before. WATCH VIDEO | After Sushma Swaraj, Economic Affairs Secretary Slams Amazon For Selling Indian Flag Doormats The issue struck at the heart of the Indian citizens, who in a pluralistic and deeply multi-cultural society grow up looking up at the national flag as a sign of national pride and identity. After the warning, Amazon did take off the doormat from its catalogue, albeit without serving an apology. As it turns out, there are many more Indian flag emblazoned articles on sale on the platform, many of which would raise an eyebrow in India. Some of those articles include objects like Indian national flag sports towel. Some range from men's short to women's bikini suits. Even Indian flag tooth picks are on sale on Amazon. It also sells objects like Indian flag car bumper stickers, t-shirt with a skull drawn with the Indian flag or nightwear and inner wear. All these articles are on sale in Amazon's US website available for order. Again, laws in the US don't classify selling such objects and the use of them as illegal. Many would differ as to what extent these objects can be called distasteful. However, going by the same yardstick, even wearing the Indian flag is reserved for national icons and martyrs who receive state funerals. That is the only case in which Indian law allows the use of Indian flag for anything other than being furled on a flagpole. It remains to be seen whether the government asks for the removal of these objects as well, or the e-tailer would act on its own. May be the incident will fizzle out. Still, the doormat is not a one off, and it has never been.
