Chinese e-commerce platform's doormat with Jagannath image sparks outrage, SJTA lodges FIR
Bhubaneswar, Jul 31 (PTI): A major controversy erupted in Odisha after it came to light that Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress was selling doormats featuring the image of Lord Jagannath.
Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) filed a police complaint on Thursday, stating that the act hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus around the world.
The state's Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida criticised as "offensive" the act of printing the image of Lord Jagannath on doormats and selling the products, and demanded an apology from the firm.
Taking to X, Parida said, "Mahaprabhu Jagannath is deeply connected to the soul and emotions of every Odia. I strongly condemn Chinese e-commerce platform @AliExpress_EN for selling doormats featuring Mahaprabhu Jagannath's image. @AliExpress_EN must remove the listing immediately and apologise to devotees for this offensive act."
AliExpress, in response to an X post by Odisha's Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, said that the product has been removed.
"We appreciate your report. The item has been reviewed and removed. Community input helps us improve our platform and strengthen our content checks. Thank you for helping us create a safe and friendly online shopping experience," it said.
Firdous, in her post, stated, "Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on @AliExpress_EN. This is a grave insult to millions of devotees and a serious attack on cultural and religious sentiments. Immediate action must be taken to remove the listing and issue a public apology."
Keeping in view of the public outcry over the doormats, SJTA, a state government body managing temple affairs, filed an FIR at the Cyber police station in Puri over the matter.
"It has come to our knowledge through TV channels and social media platforms that an е-commerce site namely @AliExpress_EN is selling doormats with the sacred image of Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu. Lord Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu, the symbol of universal love is worshipped by Hindus. It is an insult to millions of devotees, and a serious attack on cultural and religious sentiments of the Hindus around the world," SJTA OSD (Security) Hemant Kumar Padhi stated in the FIR.
He said that people step on doormats, and hence, it hurts the religious sentiments of Hindus.
"So, it is requested to take appropriate legal action against the culprit as per the law," he said.
Eminent sand artist and Padma Shri awardee, Sudarshan Pattnaik, also condemned the act.
"Jai Jagannath. We appeal to all devotees worldwide to raise their voice against this unacceptable act. The sacred image of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on a doormat sold by @AliExpress_EN is deeply offensive. Remove it, apologise, and ensure this never happens again," he said.
Former MP and BJD leader Amar Patnaik also condemned the e-commerce platform.
"I vehemently condemn the egregious act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on AliExpress! This shameless profanity is an affront to the deepest sentiments of millions of devotees, trampling upon the revered iconography with utter disregard.
"It's a desecration of the highest order, and those responsible must be held accountable. The fact that Lord Jagannath's image is being used as a mere commodity is a stark reminder of the blatant disrespect towards Hinduism. Immediate action is imperative to rectify this egregious wrongdoing and restore dignity to the revered deity," he said.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath is deeply connected to the soul and emotions of every Odia. I strongly condemn Chinese e-commerce platform @AliExpress_EN for selling doormats featuring Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s image. @AliExpress_EN must remove the listing immediately and apologise to devotees…
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) July 30, 2025
Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on @AliExpress_EN.
— Sofia Firdous (@sofiafirdous1) July 30, 2025
This is a grave insult to millions of devotees and a serious attack on cultural and religious sentiments.
Immediate action must be taken to remove the listing and…
We appreciate your report. The item has been reviewed and removed. Community input helps us improve our platform and strengthen our content checks. Thank you for helping us create a safe and friendly online shopping experience.
— AliExpress (@AliExpress_EN) July 31, 2025
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
