Chinese E-commerce Platform AliExpress Faces Outrage Over Doormat Featuring Lord Jagannath's Image

A controversy erupted in Odisha after AliExpress sold doormats with Lord Jagannath's image. The SJTA filed a complaint, citing hurt religious sentiments. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida condemned the act and demanded an apology. AliExpress has since removed the product.

A significant uproar has emerged in Odisha due to the sale of doormats featuring Lord Jagannath's image on AliExpress, a Chinese e-commerce platform. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) lodged a police complaint, asserting that this act offends Hindus globally. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida condemned the act and demanded an apology from the company.

Parida expressed her disapproval on X, stating, "Mahaprabhu Jagannath is deeply connected to the soul and emotions of every Odia. I strongly condemn Chinese e-commerce platform @AliExpress_EN for selling doormats featuring Mahaprabhu Jagannath's image. @AliExpress_EN must remove the listing immediately and apologise to devotees for this offensive act."

Public Outcry Over Offensive Doormats

In response to the backlash, AliExpress removed the product. They acknowledged the issue in a reply to Odisha's Congress MLA Sofia Firdous on X, saying, "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."

Firdous had earlier criticised the sale, stating, "Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on @AliExpress_EN. This is a grave insult to millions of devotees and a serious attack on cultural and religious sentiments. Immediate action must be taken to remove the listing and issue a public apology."

Legal Action Initiated by SJTA

The SJTA, responsible for managing temple affairs, filed an FIR at Puri's Cyber police station following public outrage over the doormats. SJTA OSD Security Hemant Kumar Padhi stated in the FIR that using Lord Jagannath's image on doormats insults millions of devotees worldwide and attacks Hindu cultural sentiments.

Padhi explained that stepping on doormats with such images hurts religious feelings. He urged legal action against those responsible as per the law.

Widespread Condemnation from Public Figures

Eminent sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik also voiced his disapproval, urging global devotees to protest against this act. He stated, "Jai Jagannath. We appeal to all devotees worldwide to raise their voice against this unacceptable act. The sacred image of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on a doormat sold by @AliExpress_EN is deeply offensive. Remove it, apologise, and ensure this never happens again."

Former MP and BJD leader Amar Patnaik echoed these sentiments, condemning AliExpress for its actions. He remarked, "I vehemently condemn the egregious act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on AliExpress! This shameless profanity is an affront to the deepest sentiments of millions of devotees, trampling upon the revered iconography with utter disregard."

Patnaik further emphasised that using Lord Jagannath's image as a commodity shows blatant disrespect towards Hinduism. He called for immediate corrective measures to restore dignity to the revered deity.

With inputs from PTI