Chinese website selling doormats with pictures of Lord Jagannath: Day of Odisha. CM says AliExpress apologizes, company removes product when dispute escalates

A controversy has erupted over the sale of doormats with pictures of Lord Jagannath on Chinese e-commerce website AliExpress. State Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida termed it as "insulting" and demanded an apology from AliExpress. The e-commerce website removed the product after protests mounted on social media. Parida wrote on Twitter, "Mahaprabhu Jagannath is connected to the heart and soul of every Odia. I strongly condemn the sale of doormats with pictures of Lord Jagannath by Chinese e-commerce platform Ali Express. It should be removed immediately and an apology should be tendered to the devotees," Firdaus said in his post. This is a direct attack on the religious sentiments of crores of devotees. Immediate action should be taken and a public apology should be made. AliExpress removed the product In response to Sofia's post, AliExpress said that it has removed the doormat product from the listing. The company wrote, 'Thank you for your information. The relevant product has been reviewed and removed. Your suggestions help us improve our platform. Thank you for helping to create a safe and respectable online experience." Renowned sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Patnaik condemned the incident and wrote, "Jai Jagannath. We appeal to all devotees across the world to raise their voice against this. It is objectionable to sell doormats with holy photos of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on Ali Express. Remove it, apologise and ensure that this never happens again," former MP and Biju Janata Dal leader Amar Patnaik said. "I strongly condemn this deplorable act of selling doormats with pictures of Lord Jagannath. This is an insult to the religious sentiments of crores of devotees. The fact that the image of God was used as an object is extremely rude. Action should be taken against those responsible and ensure that such a mistake does not happen again. AliExpress is being severely criticized on social media. People have demanded an apology from the e-commerce website and demanded a boycott.