NEW DELHI, May 15: The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued formal notices to leading e-commerce platforms, including Amazon India and Flipkart, for listing and selling Pakistani flags and related merchandise on their websites. This development was confirmed by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, on Wednesday.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Joshi stated, “The CCPA has issued notices to @amazonIN, @Flipkart, @UbuyIndia, and @Etsy, The Flag Company and The Flag Corporation over the sale of Pakistani flags and related merchandise.”
Calling out the insensitivity, Joshi further emphasized that such actions would not be tolerated. “E-commerce platforms are hereby directed to immediately remove all such content and adhere to national laws,” he wrote.
The minister also issued a stern warning to all online retailers, urging strict compliance with Indian regulations while conducting business in the country.
This action follows a broader crackdown by the CCPA. Just last week, the authority issued 13 notices to prominent digital marketplaces—including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, and OLX—over the listing and sale of walkie-talkies that lacked essential compliance details. These devices were reportedly being sold without proper frequency disclosure, licensing information, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA).
According to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, this practice is in violation of Indian laws. A preliminary investigation uncovered an extensive volume of such listings, with approximately 467 on Amazon, 314 on Flipkart, 489 on Meesho, and 423 on TradeIndia—indicating a widespread non-compliance issue.
Minister Joshi noted that the sale of unauthorized wireless devices could pose a serious threat to national security operations. “All sellers are required to strictly adhere to applicable regulatory standards to uphold consumer rights and prevent unlawful trade practices,” he stated in a separate post on X.
The Centre’s recent actions underscore its increasing scrutiny of digital commerce and its intent to enforce tighter controls on what can be listed and sold on online platforms operating in India.
