Indian govt issues notice to Amazon over selling Pakistani flag

The Indian government issued notices to several e-commerce platforms, including Amazon and other online marketplaces, for selling Pakistani flags and related gadgets that express support for Pakistan.

According to Indian media, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) urged the immediate removal of vendors selling Pakistani flags.

In directives announced by Minister of Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, he targeted e-commerce platforms, including Ubuy India, Etsy, The Flag Company, and The Flag Corporation.

The CCPA issued notices to Amazon India, Flipkart, Ubuy India, Etsy, The Flag Company, and The Flag Corporation over the sale of Pakistani flags and related items.

“Such insensitivity will not be tolerated,” Joshi reiterated in a post on X.

Read: India cuts ties with Turkish airport service firm over support for Pakistan

“E-commerce platforms are hereby directed to immediately remove all such content and adhere to national laws,” he added.

In response to the notice, Amazon rejected the government’s claims about selling Pakistani flags. “Amazon.in operates as an online marketplace where independent third-party sellers offer and sell their products,” the company stated.

Amazon said it has directed vendors to comply with applicable Indian laws and Amazon’s policies. It also emphasised that all non-compliant products have been removed from the website.

The issue came to light following an objection raised by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), a major lobbying organisation, which argued that the sale of Pakistani products was offensive and harmful to national unity.

BC Bhartia, President of CAIT, condemned the listings, calling them a “clear violation of India’s sovereignty” and a threat to domestic peace.