CHANDIGARH: After images of the Golden Temple on bottles and kettles on board the Shatabdi Express created an uproar, now similar images of the holy shrine on toilet seats, doormats and rugs — being sold on e-commerce portal Amazon — has generated controversy.
Condemning the use of pictures of Sikhism’s holiest shrine, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said that it had hurt the sentiments of the community.
“Strongly condemn use of pictures of Sri Darbar Sahib with toilet seat by Philiphome Universal. It has hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikh community worldwide. Demand immediate withdrawal of the seat by the company and an apology,” the CM tweeted.
Singh was referring to a claim by a Sikh body in the US that doormats, rugs and toilet seat covers, with the image of the Golden Temple, were reportedly being sold by some sellers on Amazon.
The Sikh Coalition, in a statement, said that it was alerted about the sale of the controversial products.
“We have sent a legal notice to Amazon and have also asked them to immediately remove the controversial product from their site and tender an unconditional apology, else the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will initiate civil and criminal proceedings against the company,” said Gobind Singh Longowal, President of SGPC.
“Also, we have submitted a complaint against the company to the Amritsar Police Commissioner,” Longowal added.
Gurvinder Singh Chadha, a Uttarakhand resident, has also submitted a complaint with the Nainital Police about the controversial products.
“I gave the complaint to the Nainital SSP, and he assured me that action would be taken after an injury, and a notice will be sent to the company,” said Chadha.