Amazon removes Indian flag doormats after Twitter shaming Amazon's massive range of inventory and marketplace vendors can sometimes get the online retailer into hot water. In the latest product controversy, the government of India threatened to rescind visas for any Amazon employee after a third-party seller in Canada was spotted hawking doormats resembling India's tri-color flag. The product was swiftly removed from the site on Wednesday after India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj took to Twitter to make her country's displeasure clear. Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017If 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, 2017Reuters reports that Amazon's Canadian portal sells doormats with a variety of national flags, but India in particular has anti-desecration laws punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Amazon initially tried to dodge responsibility, saying the doormats were not being sold on its portal in India, but the retailer backed down when Swaraj asked the Indian high Commission in Canada to look into the matter.This isn't the first time Amazon has removed items for political reasons. In 2015, the company stopped selling Confederate flags following the mass shooting at an historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina. Meanwhile, in the US, you can still buy an American flag doormat with a displeased eagle on it. From around the web ear iconeye icontext file New (2) from $7.80 + $5.20 shipping Ships from and sold by G'DQY. Door Mat Vintage Flag of American Stars and Stripes Flag Doormat Rug Indoor/Outdoor/Front Door/Bathroom Mats Floor Mat 23.6inch X 15.7inch Best Beautiful American Flag Shower Curtain, Shower Rings Included 100% Polyester Waterproof 60" x… FREE Shipping on orders over . DetailsDecorative Vintage Patriotic American Flag Design Hinged Refillable Tissue Box Holder Cover - MyGift…
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5 star26%1 star74%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewsFive StarslolThe Perfect Use For Such A Symbol of 'Freedom'Great Conversation StarterStay far, far away!!!! Freedom of Expression--isn't America great? Most Recent Customer ReviewsSearch Customer ReviewsIndia's foreign minister has criticised online retail giant Amazon after its Canadian website was found to be selling doormats featuring the Indian flag.Sushma Swaraj tweeted that Amazon should issue an "unconditional apology" and withdraw the "insulting" products.Failing this, she said India would rescind current visas for Amazon officials and not grant any more.Amazon said it had removed the doormats from its site.In a series of tweets, Ms Swaraj asked the Indian High Commission in Canada to take up the issue with Amazon after it was brought to her attention by another Twitter user. "Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately," she said."
If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier. The doormats, which were being sold by a third-party and described as "personalised durable machine-washable indoor/outdoor items", were removed from the site on Wednesday."The item is no longer available for sale on the site," an Amazon spokeswoman said in an email.Amazon sells doormats featuring flags of other countries but in India desecration of the flag is punishable with fines and imprisonment.Last June Amazon found itself in a similar controversy over sales of doormats illustrating Hindu gods.The row comes as Flipkart, India's biggest online retailer, is involved in a fierce battle with Amazon over market share. 5 star26%1 star74%See all verified purchase reviewsTop Customer ReviewslolGreat Conversation StarterThe Perfect Use For Such A Symbol of 'Freedom'Five StarsFreedom of Expression--isn't America great?ShamefulApparently the DOLLAR is your God