The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken action against major online retailers, including Amazon India and Flipkart, for selling Pakistani flags and other merchandise linked to Pakistan.
Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi confirmed that several e-commerce platforms have been issued notices and ordered to remove the items immediately.
The flagged platforms include Ubuy India, Etsy, The Flag Company, and The Flag Corporation, alongside Amazon and Flipkart.
In its notice, the CCPA stated that selling such merchandise is unacceptable and violates national sentiment, especially in the current geopolitical climate.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Minister Joshi declared, “The CCPA has issued notices to @amazonIN, @Flipkart, @UbuyIndia, @Etsy, The Flag Company and The Flag Corporation over the sale of Pakistani flags and related merchandise. Such insensitivity will not be tolerated.”
This directive follows heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Earlier, India launched Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22. The operation targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, triggering a brief military escalation. Although a ceasefire was agreed upon shortly afterward, Pakistan reportedly violated the terms within hours.
The government’s scrutiny doesn’t stop at flags.
On May 9, the CCPA also served notices to 13 digital marketplaces, including Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, OLX, TradeIndia, Facebook, Indiamart, Jiomart, Krishnamart, VardaanMart, Chimiya, Talk Pro Walie Talkie, and MaskMan Toys. These platforms were found listing walkie-talkie devices lacking the required frequency details, licensing approvals, or Equipment Type Approval (ETA)—violating the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
A spokesperson from Amazon stated that the company is working with stakeholders to ensure full legal compliance.
Minister Joshi stressed that selling unapproved wireless devices not only violates Indian law but can also pose threats to national security. These infractions breach several key legislations, including the Consumer Protection Act, the Indian Telegraph Act, and the Wireless Telegraphy Act.
To address the issue more comprehensively, the CCPA plans to release formal guidelines under Section 18(2)(l) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. These will focus on improving compliance and safeguarding consumer interests across digital marketplaces. Sellers have been firmly instructed to follow all applicable laws and standards to prevent unlawful trade practices.