The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued formal notices to multiple e-commerce platforms, including Amazon India, Flipkart, Ubuy India, Etsy, the Flag Company, and the Flag Corporation, for allegedly listing and selling Pakistani national flags and related merchandise in India. The move comes amid growing concerns over the availability of foreign national symbols on Indian digital marketplaces in violation of national sentiment and legal norms.
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Pralhad Joshi, took to social media to express strong disapproval of the matter. In a firm statement, the minister said, “Such insensitivity will not be tolerated.” He emphasized that e-commerce platforms must respect national sentiments and operate within the framework of Indian laws. Mr. Joshi confirmed that the platforms have been directed to immediately remove all listings promoting or selling Pakistani flags and similar items.
The CCPA, which operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, initiated the action after reports and complaints surfaced about the availability of foreign flags for purchase on popular e-commerce websites. The authority noted that such listings may not only hurt national sentiments but could also be seen as violating provisions of the Flag Code of India and other relevant statutes governing the use and display of national symbols.
Officials stated that the notices seek detailed explanations from the platforms regarding how such listings were allowed and what content moderation or product review mechanisms are in place to prevent the sale of objectionable or illegal items. Depending on the responses received, further action may be taken under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
The incident has sparked public outrage on social media, with many users demanding stricter regulation of online marketplaces and better oversight of third-party vendors. The Union Minister echoed these sentiments, reinforcing the government’s resolve to ensure that digital platforms do not become vehicles for the sale of items that undermine national pride or breach the law.
This action marks yet another instance of regulatory tightening by Indian authorities over online content and commerce practices. In recent months, the government has taken a series of steps to enforce compliance among e-commerce platforms, especially concerning consumer protection, misleading advertisements, and now, the sale of items deemed inappropriate on patriotic or legal grounds.
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