A major controversy has emerged in Odisha after it was found that AliExpress, a Chinese e-commerce platform, was selling doormats featuring the image of Lord Jagannath. This action has been widely condemned as offensive and a direct insult to the religious sentiments of millions of devotees.
Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida, was among the first to criticize the e-commerce platform. In a post on X, she stated that Lord Jagannath is deeply connected to the soul of every Odia and strongly condemned the “offensive act.” She demanded that AliExpress immediately remove the product and issue an apology.
Taking to X, Parida said, “Mahaprabhu Jagannath is deeply connected to the soul and emotions of every Odia. I strongly condemn Chinese e-commerce platform @AliExpress_EN for selling doormats featuring Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s image. @AliExpress_EN must remove the listing immediately and apologise to devotees for this offensive act.”
Mahaprabhu Jagannath is deeply connected to the soul and emotions of every Odia. I strongly condemn Chinese e-commerce platform @AliExpress_EN for selling doormats featuring Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s image. @AliExpress_EN must remove the listing immediately and apologise to devotees…
— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) July 30, 2025
AliExpress, in response to a post on X shared by Odisha’s Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, said that the product has been removed.
The company stated, “We appreciate your report. The item has been reviewed and removed. Community input helps us improve our platform and strengthen our content checks. Thank you for helping us create a safe and friendly online shopping experience,” it said.
Sofia Firdous, in her post on X, called the act “blasphemous” and a “grave insult to millions of devotees and a serious attack on cultural and religious sentiments.” She insisted on immediate action and a public apology.
“Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on @AliExpress_EN. This is a grave insult to millions of devotees and a serious attack on cultural and religious sentiments. Immediate action must be taken to remove the listing and issue a public apology,” the Congress legislator stated.
The outrage extended to prominent figures beyond politics. Eminent sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarshan Pattnaik appealed to devotees worldwide to raise their voices against the “unacceptable act.”
“Jai Jagannath. We appeal to all devotees worldwide to raise their voice against this unacceptable act. The sacred image of Mahaprabhu Jagannath on a doormat sold by @AliExpress_EN is deeply offensive. Remove it, apologise, and ensure this never happens again,” he said.
Jai Jagannath 🙏
Appreciate @sjta_puri for filing an FIR against the e-commerce site misusing Mahaprabhu Jagannath's images. Such misuse should be strictly punished. @arvindpadhee https://t.co/kcvdQUbR3E— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) July 31, 2025
Former MP and BJD leader Amar Patnaik also condemned the e-commerce platform, calling the act “shameless profanity” and an “affront to the deepest sentiments of millions of devotees.”
“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 said.
