The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued formal notices to major e-commerce platforms, including Amazon India, Flipkart, Ubuy India, Etsy, The Flag Company, and The Flag Corporation, for listing and selling Pakistani national flags and related merchandise. This action is part of the CCPA’s initiative, known as Operation Sindoor, aimed at ensuring compliance with Indian laws and respecting national sentiments .
Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, condemned the sale of such items as “insensitive” and a violation of national sentiment. He directed the concerned platforms to immediately remove the listings and adhere strictly to Indian laws .
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) had earlier raised concerns over the availability of Pakistani flags and related merchandise on Indian e-commerce platforms. In a letter to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, CAIT emphasized that the sale of such items undermines national unity and poses a potential threat to internal harmony and security .
In response to the notice, Amazon India stated that it operates as an online marketplace where independent third-party sellers offer and sell their products. The company emphasized that it requires sellers to comply with applicable Indian laws and Amazon policies, and it removes non-compliant product listings upon notification from relevant regulatory authorities
This development follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, earlier this month, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals. The incident has reignited public and political outrage, further straining bilateral ties .
