Govt Issues Notice to E-comm Giants Incl. Amazon & Flipkart to Ban Sale of Pakistani Flags, Merchandise

Union government has issued notices to e-commerce giants, including Amazon India, Flipkart, Ubuy India, Etsy, the Flag Company and the Flag Corporation, over the online sale of Pakistani national flags and related merchandise. In a post on social media platform X on May 14, Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi mentioned that a warning notice has been issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to immediately remove such Pakistani goods from their online retail platforms, the Economic Times reported. The minister told all online retailers to adhere to Indian laws while conducting business. 

“The CCPA has issued notices to Amazon, Flipkart, UbuyIndia, Etsy, the Flag Company and The Flag Corporation over the sale of Pakistani flags and related merchandise. Such insensitivity will not be tolerated. E-commerce platforms are hereby directed to immediately remove all such content and adhere to National laws,” said the consumer affairs minister. 

The move by the government comes at a time when India-Pakistan relations have become bitter following the escalating tensions between the two nuclear neighbouring nations.

Amazon, however, refuted government's claim and mentioned that the products, including Pakistani flags are not available for sale on its e-commerce website.

"We require sellers to offer products which comply with applicable Indian laws and Amazon policies. We remove non-compliant product listings upon notification from relevant regulatory authorities. The products in question are not available for purchase on our marketplace," said Amazon.

Also Read: Pakistani Content Off-Limits in India as Govt Puts Ban in National Interest

CCPA’s notice followed a letter by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi urged them to ban the online sale of items that have Pakistani national symbols on them, as they are a threat to national unity. 

“This is not merely an oversight – it is a grave insult to our armed forces and a threat to national unity,” said CAIT President BC Bhartia. 

Prior to this, the government had asked OTT platforms operating in India to ban Pakistani entertainment content, including films, web series and songs, in the interest of national security. 

“...al OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content...having its origin in Pakistan with immediate effect,” the Information and Broadcasting Ministry had said on May 8.