Sushma tells Amazon to 'apologise or no visa' after flag doormats

January 12, 2017 08:02

Union minister Sushma Swaraj has demanded an unconditional apology from online retailer Amazon, which has been selling Indian flag themed doormats. The external affairs minister has demanded that the company withdraw the product immediately. Unless this is done, Amazon officials will not be given visas, she said in a series of tweets.

Disrespect to the national flag is a punishable offense in India. It involves a three-year jail term and a fine or both.

The minister's tweets read:

"Amazon must tender unconditional apology. They must withdraw all products insulting our national flag immediately.

"If this is not done forthwith, we will not grant Indian Visa to any Amazon official. We will also rescind the Visas issued earlier."

The minister also asked the Indian embassy to take up the matter with Amazon Canada.

Swaraj's response came after a Tweeter user tagged her, pointing out the sale of the flag floormats on Amazon.

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