Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Amazon’s listing for £14 'Gandhi flip flops' prompts outrage in India

It comes just days after the site was forced to apologise for selling Indian flag doormats

Lucy Pasha-Robinson
Sunday 15 January 2017 17:55 GMT
Comments
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian nationalist movement, with his message of peaceful non-cooperation
Mahatma Gandhi led the Indian nationalist movement, with his message of peaceful non-cooperation (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Amazon has sparked condemnation from its Indian customers after it listed flip flops for sale with Mahatma Gandhi’s face printed on them.

The tech giant listed the “Gandhi Flop Flops” for $16.99 (£14) but later removed the item following criticism.

It came just days after it was forced to apologise for listing Indian flag doormats on its Canadian website.

Mr Gandhi became the figurehead of the Indian independence movement from the British, and remains highly revered across the nation.

'Gandhi flip flops' listed on Amazon
'Gandhi flip flops' listed on Amazon (Screenshot)

On Sunday, India’s Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das hit out at the company writing on Twitter: “Amazon, better behave. Desist from being flippant about Indian symbols & icons. Indifference will be at your own peril.”

He later clarified his statement saying: “Comment on Amazon was as a citizen of India as I felt strongly about it. Nothing more should be read into it.”

On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj demanded an immediate apology from Amazon for selling the doormats and threatened to withhold visa approvals and rescind those already approved from Amazon employees until the issue was rectified.

She wrote: “Indian High Commission in Canada :This is unacceptable. Please take this up with Amazon at the highest level.

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

“If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier.”

Amazon India vice-president Amit Agarwal wrote to Ms Swaraj saying the doormats had been offered by a third-party seller on its Canadian website and there had been no intent to offend.

He said his firm was "committed to respecting Indian laws and customs".

"A third-party seller, not Amazon, had listed these products for sale in Canada... Amazon regrets the same. At no time did we intend or mean to offend Indian sentiments," he said.

In India, desecration of the national flag is punishable with fines and imprisonment.

The Independent has approached Amazon for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in