After flag doormats, Amazon withdraws flip-flops bearing Mahatma Gandhi's picture

By

Maverick Martins

Published
Jan 19, 2017

After Amazon withdrew a tri-coloured doormat offensive to Indian sensitivities from its Canadian platform in the face of warnings by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the e-commerce major has now also pulled out flip-flops bearing the picture of Mahatma Gandhi after a national outcry, a senior official said on Thursday.

"We have been in touch with Amazon both in Washington as well as in Delhi and we have had constructive conversations," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a media briefing in New Delhi.

"I am happy to report that the offending item has since been pulled by Amazon and we hope that our engagement will continue to be fruitful," he added.

Earlier this month, Amazon Canada kicked off a row by putting up doormats featuring the Indian flag, which was made available by two of its vendors -- Mayers Flag Doormats and XLYL.

After the External Affairs Ministry threatened not to grant Indian visa to Amazon officials the company wrote to Sushma Swaraj expressing regrets at hurting Indian sensibilities.

Swarup on Thursday said that the Indian Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to convey to Amazon that while providing a platform for third-party vendors, it should respect Indian sensitivities and sentiments.