The internet is quick in calling people out with it’s ‘cancel culture’ but the e-commerce giant Amazon has understandably come under heat because of questionable merchandise that was put up on their website recently. They had put up various items like underwear and doormats with sacred Hindu symbols printed on them which led to Hindus all over the world calling Amazon ‘Hinduphobic’ and soon the hashtag #BoycottAmazon was seen trending on the internet.

The products in question were boxers and briefs that had Lord Ganesha’s image printed on them and doormats with the symbol ‘Om’. Even T-shirts depicting Goddess Kali and Sita kissing were being sold under the title ‘Sexy Hindu Goddess’. These are extremely sacred Hindu religious symbols and God’s that people worship and users quickly took to Twitter to express how offended they were.

Even BJP spokesperson went a step further and tweeted in anger that Amazon should be jailed “ We too have religious sentiments. Don’t violate Section 295A. The section says that any person deliberately and maliciously intended to outrage reli­gious feelings can be punished for the term prescribed or extended up to 3 years.”

Angry Netizens were also quick to comment on how this is not Amazon’s first time offending people’s religious sentiments. In 2017, Amazon’s Canadian website had been selling doormats with the Indian flag printed on it! This escalated to such a degree that the Modi Government ‘threatened to rescind visas of Amazon employees in India’ if the selling of items that disrespected Indians and Indian culture did not stop.

Amazon once again came under flak in 2019 when it’s US website was seen selling toilet seat covers with the image of Hindu God’s printed over them!

In light of the recent backlash, Amazon issued statements on its website saying that listings of products that featured any form of sacred Hindu symbols or God’s would be immediately taken down from its website. “We are taking down the products in question. All sellers must follow our selling guidelines and those who do not will be subject to action including potential removal of their account” read the statement.

After receiving some understandable backlash for its insensitive products, Amazon made Indian laws which lay down strict rules in using the Indian flag and other sacred symbols “an integral part of the global compliance process.”