SGPC wants e-tailer to apologise to the Sikhs

TNS & Agencies

Amritsar, December 19

The SGPC has lodged a police complaint and sent a legal notice to e-tailer Amazon for images of the Golden Temple on doormats and rugs listed for sale on its website. It has demanded an apology from the company for hurting Sikh sentiments. Also, the committee has shot off a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, seeking action against the company.

A prominent Sikh body in the US, the Sikh Coalition, said it had “contacted Amazon to remove the products while detailing the culturally insensitive problems” with the items being sold. “The Golden Temple is not a doormat,” it tweeted. The organisation spokesperson said: “Using religious or spiritual imagery on products that come into contact with unhygienic surfaces is offensive to all faiths... The Golden Temple is no exception...Such items are deeply offensive to Sikhs everywhere.”

NGO United Sikhs too called on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos to remove the items. “It’s shocking and extremely disappointing that Amazon offers these products for sale,” said United Sikhs operations manager Rajesh Singh. “The merchandise featuring the disrespectful placement of Darbar Sahib shows a total lack of understanding on behalf of Amazon and its employees.”

The group offered “Sikh awareness training” to educate the Amazon staff and prevent “anti-Sikh products” from being sold on the site in future.