Notice to e-commerce firms over sale of Pakistani flags

New Delhi: Cracking down on e-commerce companies for selling Pakistan flags and related merchandise, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued formal notices to Amazon, Flipkart, UbuyIndia, Etsy, The Flag Company, and The Flag Corporation.

The CCPA has directed these companies to take down Pakistan flag and related merchandise from listings with immediate effect and ensure strict compliance with Indian laws.

The CCPA has issued notices to @amazonIN, @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,” said Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi in his post on X. 

The minister also ordered the e-commerce platforms operating in India to remove all such content from their platforms in order to adhere to the nation's law. 

The move comes after the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) sent a letter to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, demanding an urgent ban on the online sale of Pakistani symbols.

The letter was sent on Tuesday, amid heightened national security concerns due to Operation Sindoor. CAIT called the sale of Pakistani flags, mugs, and T-shirts 'deeply disturbing' at a time when Indian soldiers are engaged in a critical mission.

"This disturbing situation unfolds even as our valiant armed forces are actively engaged in Operation Sindoor — a mission of critical national importance against Pakistan," CAIT National President BC Bhartia wrote.