Bhubaneswar: A major controversy has erupted over Chinese app AliExpress, an international e-commerce platform, selling doormats featuring the image of Lord Jagannath.
The offensive product showcases the face of Lord Jagannath printed on a mat meant for wiping feet. The advertisement even depicts a person standing on the mat, adding to the outrage.
“What’s wrong with you, @AliExpress_EN? Are you playing with the emotions of millions of devotees? Making Lord Jagannath a doormat? This is blasphemy!” a X user posted, urging Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Shree Jagannath Temple Administration and its chief administrator Arabinda Padhee for necessary action.
“Shame on you @AliExpress_EN for selling doormats with images of Lord Jagannatha.. a deity millions worship with deep devotion…Your careless reply asking for “order nunber” shows your ignorance and disrespect. Would you sell religious items of other faiths as doormats?” another user asked.
The mats, advertised under the name ‘Lord Jagannath Mandala Art’ and as anti-slip and moisture-absorbent are priced at Rs 948.
“There have been repeated instances of sacred terms like Mahaprasad and Patitapaban Bana being misused for commercial gain. The process to copyright these terms and images related to the Jagannath Temple should be expedited to prevent such violations,” said Madhab Pujapanda, a former member of the Shree Jagannath Temple Management Committee.
Taking to his X handle, BJD leader Amar Patnaik also condemned the app for selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath. “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 wrote.
