Social media platforms saw a surge of criticism directed at the online marketplace, with users urging AliExpress to immediately take down the item and issue an apology. Many called the product “blasphemous” and accused the platform of enabling the sale of culturally insensitive items.
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‘Civilisational sacrilege’: Doormats with Lord Jagannath’s image sold by AliExpress spark outrage
In response to the outrage, an AliExpress spokesperson confirmed to CNBC-TV18 about the removal of the listing. “Upon receiving the feedback, we conducted screening and verification, and have removed the item in question,” the spokesperson said.
AliExpress, which operates as a global online retail service owned by Alibaba Group, clarified its role as a marketplace rather than a direct seller. The company emphasized that it is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. “As a marketplace that facilitates transactions between shoppers and sellers, we are taking proactive measures to monitor and prevent such listings in the future. We appreciate input from everyone in helping us maintain a healthy and respectful online shopping environment,” the spokesperson added.
The depiction of Lord Jagannath—a deity worshipped by millions, especially in the Indian state of Odisha—on doormats sparked widespread anger, with religious and cultural organizations demanding swift action. The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of Hinduism’s most significant pilgrimage sites, holds immense spiritual importance, and any perceived insult to the deity is taken seriously by devotees.
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This is not the first time international retailers have come under fire for the inappropriate use of religious symbols in commercial products. The incident has reignited calls for stricter content moderation and cultural sensitivity on global e-commerce platforms.
Although, AliExpress did not clarify whether the seller responsible for the listing would face any penalty or ban, it swiftly acted on the product listing, by pulling it down.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
