Why Sushma Swaraj is absolutely right in warning Amazon

India has its roots in Vedic civilization. This civilization teaches us to bow down in front of those who we respect. It does not teach to use such objects as doormats and shoes. Not discriminating between foot and head, or, in other words, using a respectable object as doormats or shoes is only a proof of degrading human society.

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When only money talks, it stinks. After India’s Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj appropriately tweeted late Wednesday that the doormats sold on Amazon’s Canadian site were “unacceptable” insult to India’s national flag and demanded an unconditional apology, those who valued India’s pride hailed it, but some unfortunate ones criticized her nationalistic stand. Obviously these are paid criticism and they come from so-called neutral journalists and social workers who talk like trained parrots of anti-national groups within and outside India.

This reminds of what happened when some political leaders crossed all ethical limits and stooped shamefully low to the extent of challenging the authenticity of India’s surgical strike on Pakistan occupied land last September.

Let us not forget, this is the same Amazon which sold doormats featuring Hindu deities last year. It is foolish to think and propose that Amazon did all this unintentionally, unless their sales officers and quality control staffers are incrementally callous and thoughtless as to what should be sold.

sushma swaraj is right in chastising amazonWhat Sushma Swaraj said is the minimum India should have said for such an insult, intentional or unintentional. “Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately,” she tweeted. “If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier.” She added.

Under pressure, on Thursday Amazon released a statement saying “we have removed the products from the website following the Indian demand”.

It is a shame to those who consider themselves open-minded by making statements in defense of Amazon instead of condemning it. There has to be a limit to political agendas. Indian media is losing its credibility because of its overly biased stand against the ruling party.

One may argue that Amazon has also sold US flag prints on doormats and shoes so it is not wrong if they do the same with India flag. For a sensible person this is not a sound argument. You don’t want to treat your neighbours’ property the way you would treat yours. It is a matter of culture.

India has its roots in Vedic civilization. This civilization teaches us to bow down in front of those who we respect. It does not teach to use such objects as doormats. In fact, it is not only Vedic civilization, all civilized societies show respect by bowing down head. Not discriminating between feet and head, or, in other words, using a respectable object as doormats or shoes is only a display of how human society is deviating from respectable culture, hence degrading.

Amazon, or any other company for that matter, must learn to respect the values of Vedic civilization if they want to business with India. Sushma Swaraj is absolutely correct in warning them the way she did. Those pseudo secularists and so-called broad-minded people, who are quick in parting with anti-India forces in the name of neutrality and openness, need to understand that keeping national interest in mind while dealing with such issues is of utmost importance to India’s safety. One may get some cheap praise or favor from certain lobbies by being “neutral”, “tolerant”, or “understanding”, but in the long run such tendency can amount to treachery, something that a genuine citizen would want to avoid.

In a move to exploit India’s overwhelmingly growing online market, Amazon intends to pump in US$ 5 billion over six years to strengthen its Indian wing. Competing with Flipkart and other retailers in India, the company has made a steady inroads in the country since 2013. It behooves such a reputed company to be sensitive to the culture and civilizations of other countries. Removing the said product from their website is a welcome gesture and worthy of appreciation.

Amazon sorry over India flag doormat fiasco – BBC News

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38606101Online retailer Amazon has apologised for selling doormats featuring the Indian flag on its Canadian website. Amazon removed the product from its website on Wednesday, and apologised the following day after Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj’s …NewsweekGlobalnews.caBreitbart News – Amazon sorry over India flag doormat fiasco – BBC News

 

Govt should take a relaxed view of ‘violations’ of flag code in products sold in foreign countries: Experts – Economic Times

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/govt-should-take-a-relaxed-view-of-violations-of-flag-code-in-products-sold-in-foreign-countries-experts/articleshow/56508056.cmsIndia’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had on Wednesday tweeted that India visas for Amazon executives may be withdrawn unless the America headquartered ecommerce giant apologised for its Canadian site selling doormats in India flag colours. Govt should take a relaxed view of ‘violations’ of flag code in products sold in foreign countries: Experts – Economic Times

 

More trouble for Amazon? E-commerce firm now selling Indian flag-themed shoes – NewsX

http://www.newsx.com/national/52408-more-trouble-for-amazon-e-commerce-firm-now-selling-indian-flag-themed-shoesNew Delhi: Global e-tailer giant Amazon might have withdrawn Indian flag doormat from its Canadian platform, but it appears more trouble is in store for the company. Amazon’s United States platform is selling shoes and shoe lace metal hoops bearing … More trouble for Amazon? E-commerce firm now selling Indian flag-themed shoes – NewsX

 

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