E-commerce portal Amazon Canada has once again landed in trouble, after a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader observed that the online site was selling an incorrect version of the map of India.
BJP Delhi spokesperson Tajinder Pal S Bagga found that Amazon Canada is selling a map of India that differs from the Indian government’s official one, with parts of Jammu and Kashmir missing. Bagga took to twitter to highlight the issue, about the vinyl wall sticker map that excludes areas disputed by Pakistan and China. He further demanded an immediate removal of the controversial product by Amazon.
Bagga tweeted:
“Amazon.ca is selling distorted Map of India. It’s unacceptable. Remove this from ur website & stop selling immediately.”
. @amazon @amazonca @AmazonHelp is selling distorted Map of India.Its unacceptable. Remove this from ur website & stop selling immediately pic.twitter.com/zpFm3xlTXC
— Tajinder Pal S Bagga (@TajinderBagga) May 6, 2017
The product which is said to have breached the 2016 Geospatial Information Regulation Bill is being sold by an unknown seller who recently registered on the website. The seller goes by the name of “DIYthinker” and is selling the Vinyl wall stickers of the map for C$ 25.35.
It is compulsory to take a government authority permission before acquiring, disseminating, publishing or distributing any Geospatial Information of India, according to the draft bill. And if any individual does not obey the rules, it proposes to a seven-year jail term and Rs 1,100 crore fine.
This is the second time Amazon has ruffled feathers in India. In January this year, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had reprimanded Amazon for the sale of doormats with the Indian flag printed on them. Swaraj threatened of revoking visas of the Amazon officials. Later Amazon had apologized for selling the doormats bearing the Indian national flag on its Canadian website, and removed the product.
However, it seems Amazon has not learned from its mistakes and seemed to have invited another controversy.
Amazon reported a leading news paper stating that they had initiated an investigation into the claim. “We are looking into it; we remain committed to complete legal compliance at all times.”
SUPRAJA
