US-based online retailers found selling 'Ganesh' beers, 'Om' footwear; complaint lodged

It has happened again. Religious sentiments have once again been hurt. This time, two US-based online retailers are under the scanner for selling alcohol with Ganesha’s pictures on its label, and footwear with the ‘Om’ symbol inscribed on them, reported the ANI  news agency. 

Two FIRs were filed against  yeswevibe.com and  lostcoast.com  by Bharat Scouts and Guides commissioner Naresh Kadyan. He even wrote a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs asking officials to ensure the products are removed from the websites, said the report.

According to the report, the complaint stated: “Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs, violated the different sections of the laws of land, including 295 A and 153 A of the IPC.”

Earlier in the year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had issued a warning to Amazon Canada for selling doormats with the Indian flag printed on them. The matter was brought to Swaraj’s attention by a Twitter user. The minister later demanded an apology for the tech company and said that its officials will not be granted Indian visas if the products are not withdrawn from the website.

Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately. /1

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) January 11, 2017

If 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, 2017

Following Swaraj’s message, Amazon expressed regret for “offending” Indian sentiments and informed Swaraj about removal of the offensive product from its Canadian website.

With inputs from agencies