AliExpress Sparks Outrage Over Lord Jagannath Doormats

Odisha demands apology from AliExpress for selling doormats featuring Lord Jagannath's image. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida criticized the act as "offensive" and called for the product's removal. AliExpress removed the listing and apologized. Other officials, including a sand artist and a former MP, also condemned the e-commerce platform's actions.

Odisha, a state in eastern India, has been in an uproar following the revelation that Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress was selling doormats featuring the image of Lord Jagannath. The incident sparked outrage among the state's residents and led to a demand for an apology from the platform.

The controversy began when Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida criticized the act of printing the image of Lord Jagannath on doormats and selling the products. She demanded an immediate apology from the firm [1]. The Deputy Chief Minister's criticism was echoed by other political leaders and religious figures, who condemned the e-commerce platform for its insensitive actions.

The incident drew widespread attention and backlash, with many social media users expressing their dismay. The platform eventually removed the listing and issued an apology, acknowledging the offense caused by the product. AliExpress stated, "We appreciate your report. The item has been reviewed and removed. Community input helps us improve our platform and strengthen our content checks. Thank you for helping us create a safe and friendly online shopping experience" [2].

The incident has highlighted the sensitivity of cultural and religious symbols in the region. The removal of the product and the apology from AliExpress have been seen as a step in the right direction, but the incident has also raised questions about the platform's content moderation policies.

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/chinese-e-commerce-platform-aliexpress-doormat-with-lord-jagannath-image-sparks-outrage-odisha-demands-apology/article69877795.ece
[2] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chinese-e-commerce-giant-aliexpress-takes-down-lord-jagannath-doormat-reviewed-removed-8990422