A doormat bearing the image of Lord Jagannath, sold on Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress, has triggered widespread outrage across India—especially in Odisha, where the deity holds deep religious and cultural significance. Prominent politicians, artists, and citizens condemned the listing as blasphemous.
The product was later removed, and AliExpress issued a brief apology. Demands now grow for stricter international e-commerce content regulation to prevent religious defamation.
Bhubaneswar / Beijing / Global | July 31, 2025
A religious and diplomatic row erupted this week after AliExpress, a global e-commerce platform owned by China’s Alibaba Group, was found listing a doormat with an image of Lord Jagannath, a sacred deity worshipped by millions of Hindus—especially in Odisha, India.
The listing, which surfaced on multiple product pages, depicted a floor mat printed with Lord Jagannath’s face, with marketing images showing feet placed directly on the deity’s visage. This not only offended Hindu sentiments but also invoked calls for public apology, government intervention, and international trade accountability.
How the Controversy Began: An Insult in the Aisle of Commerce
The offensive product was marketed as a “non-slip absorbent mat” priced at around ₹787. It quickly caught attention on Indian social media and religious forums, where screenshots of the listing were widely circulated.
In one product image, a model stood barefoot on the deity’s face, intensifying the anger. The item was sold under generic tags like “Yoga Mat, Anti-Skid Carpet, Home Decor Rug”—suggesting complete disregard for the religious significance of the imagery used.
Political and Public Reactions: Odisha Unites in Protest
Key voices from the state and national levels came forward:
- Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, condemned the act as “unforgivable sacrilege”, urging the Union Ministry of External Affairs to take diplomatic action.
“This is not merely offensive—this is an attack on our cultural dignity,” she stated.
- Sofia Firdous, Congress MLA from Cuttack, demanded a formal apology from AliExpress’s global leadership, calling the listing “deliberate cultural violence.”
- Padma Shri awardee and sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a poignant tribute on Puri beach depicting Lord Jagannath with the message: “Respect Faith, Respect India”.
- BJD MP Dr. Amar Patnaik tweeted:
“Using revered Hindu gods as footmats is beyond insensitive—it is colonial and exploitative. AliExpress must face international consumer penalties.”
AliExpress Responds: Product Removed, Apology Issued
After mounting backlash and mass tagging on social media, AliExpress removed the listing and responded on X (formerly Twitter):
“We appreciate your report. The item has been reviewed and removed. Community input helps us improve our platform and strengthen our content checks.”
However, critics noted that the apology lacked specificity and accountability, as it neither acknowledged the religious nature of the image nor offered clarity on supplier accountability or preventive measures for future violations.
Cultural Context: Who is Lord Jagannath?
Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is the presiding deity of the world-famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, a major pilgrimage center in India. Every year, millions of devotees participate in the Rath Yatra, a chariot festival where the deities are ceremonially paraded.
Jagannath is more than a religious icon; he is a symbol of Odia identity, social unity, and spiritual heritage. Depicting him on an object intended to be stepped on is considered profoundly disrespectful and spiritually abusive.
Recurring Pattern: Global Brands, Local Outrage
This is not the first time international platforms have faced backlash for misusing sacred Hindu imagery. Past examples include:
| Brand | Offensive Product | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Underwear printed with Lord Ganesha | Product removed after global protests |
| Amazon | Toilet seat covers with Hindu gods | Apologized; listings pulled |
| Shein | Swastika-themed jewelry labeled as “Nazi” | Withdrawn following outrage |
| AliExpress | Jagannath doormat with feet on deity’s image | Listing removed; under pressure again |
The Jagannath mat episode reveals a pattern of negligence by multinational retailers toward religious sensitivities of non-Western consumers.
What Legal Avenues Are Available?
In India, acts that intentionally insult religious sentiments may fall under Sections of the Indian Penal Code now BNS, which prescribe imprisonment and fines for such offenses. Activists have urged the Indian government to:
- Initiate a formal complaint through the Indian Embassy in China
- Enforce international e-commerce regulation frameworks
- Demand supplier audits and transparency from marketplaces like AliExpress
The Ministry of Electronics and IT is also being urged to consider geo-blocking vendors or platforms repeatedly engaging in religious defamation.
Public Campaigns: Global Hindu Voices Rise
Hashtags like #BoycottAliExpress, #RespectJagannath, and #CulturalSensitivityNow began trending on social media platforms within hours. Online petitions demanding a formal apology from Alibaba Group have already gathered over 50,000 signatures in India and the U.S.
Devotees abroad—especially from the Jagannath diaspora in the UK, U.S., and UAE—have also condemned the act, terming it “an export of disrespect.”
What Happens Next?
Stakeholders demand:
- A formal corporate apology from AliExpress or Alibaba Group leadership
- Introduction of automated religious image flagging tools
- Transparency regarding sellers/vendors of such items
- Global content policy reforms to prevent recurrence
Experts argue that e-commerce platforms must build AI-based safeguards that flag or block listings involving sacred religious symbols, much like copyright violations are automatically filtered.
Conclusion
The listing of a Lord Jagannath doormat on AliExpress is not just an issue of faith—it is a flashpoint in the global conversation on digital responsibility, cultural awareness, and the ethics of cross-border commerce. As India’s digital consumer base grows, so does its power to demand respectful global interactions—and this may be the moment that triggers lasting reform.
