Latest news with #BijuJanataDal
NDTV
14 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Reviewed, Removed": China's AliExpress Takes Down Lord Jagannath Doormat
Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress has removed a controversial doormat featuring the image of Lord Jagannath from its website, following a wave of backlash. The item, titled "Lord Jagannath Mandala Art Mat Doorway Non-Slip Soft Water Uptake Carpet Krishna Jaganath Hindu Go," was priced at approximately Rs 787. Images showed a person standing on the mat with the deity's face printed on it. This was widely criticised as offensive and deeply disrespectful, especially in Odisha, where Lord Jagannath holds immense religious and cultural significance. "The item has been reviewed and removed," AliExpress said in a statement, "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." "We appreciate your report," they said. 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. — AliExpress (@AliExpress_EN) July 31, 2025 The platform responded directly to a tweet by Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, who demanded immediate corrective action. The Barabati-Cuttack legislator wrote, "Strongly condemn the blasphemous act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on [AliExpress]. 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 internet was not convinced. A user commented, "Why was it even there in the first place?" Another wrote, "Where is your public apology?" Someone said, "Don't play with the emotions of crores Odia's. Mahaprabhu is our heart and soul. So be careful for the future action." The incident also drew strong condemnation from other political leaders. Amar Patnaik, senior Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former MP, called the listing "shameless profanity" and "egregious". "I vehemently condemn the egregious act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on AliExpress. It is a desecration of the highest order, and those responsible must be held accountable." BJP leader Baijayant Jay Panda called the incident "unacceptable" and accused the platform of a "deeper conspiracy." "It is just the latest in a long line of foreign entities who have kept trying over centuries to belittle Sanatan Dharma & demean its followers," he said.
NDTV
17 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Chinese E-Commerce Giant AliExpress Sparks Outrage For Selling Lord Jagannath "Doormat"
Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress has sparked outrage online for selling doormats featuring an image of Lord Jagannath, a revered Hindu deity. Photos of the product, which show the deity's face printed on the mat alongside an image of someone standing on it, have surfaced on social media, igniting widespread criticism. The product has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of many Hindus and provoked strong backlash, particularly in Odisha, where Lord Jagannath holds immense cultural and spiritual significance. The Chinese-owned e-commerce platform listed the product as "Lord Jagannath Mandala Art Mat Doorway Non-Slip Soft Water Uptake Carpet Krishna Jaganath Hindu Go". It described the doormat as a "Non-slip soft water uptake carpet" and showed a price of approximately Rs 787. 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, apologize, and ensure this never happens again. — Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) July 31, 2025 The product ignited backlash, with many devotees condemning it as a clear display of religious insensitivity. Amar Patnaik, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former MP, slammed the "egregious" act of selling doormats. Calling the act "shameless," the BJD leader wrote, "I vehemently condemn the egregious act of selling doormats with the sacred image of Lord Jagannath on AliExpress!" "This shameless profanity is an affront to the deepest sentiments of millions of devotees, trampling upon the revered iconography with utter disregard. It's a desecration of the highest order, and those responsible must be held accountable," he added. BJP leader Baijayant Jay Panda also condemned the product, saying, "As an Odia and one among millions of devotees, this is unacceptable. I see a deeper conspiracy by this Chinese eCommerce site, already banned in India. It's just the latest in a long line of foreign entities who have kept trying over centuries to belittle Sanatan Dharma & demean its followers. If the seller does not walk this back, several steps must be taken to make it regret its stand." Many social media users also criticised the product and called for its immediate removal along with an apology from both the seller and the platform. "What is this Ali Express? You are selling doormats featuring Lord Jagannath, a deeply revered deity worshipped by Hindus across the world. Take it down immediately. This is a shameful act of disrespect by AliExpress," one user wrote. "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, apologize, and ensure this never happens again," commented another. "This is outrageous. Selling doormats with the image of Lord Jagannath - a deity worshipped by millions of Hindus - is not just disrespectful, it's an unforgivable insult. How dare you trivialize something so sacred? Take this down immediately and issue an apology," said a third user.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
BJD MPs protest in Parliament over rising crimes in Odisha
New Delhi: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs staged a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Tuesday, decrying the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in BJP-ruled Odisha, particularly the surge in crimes against women and children. Carrying placards that read 'Mahilaon ki cheekh aur sarkar ki khamoshi' (the cries of women and the silence of the government) and 'Odisha BJP ka shaasan, apradhiyo ki shaan' (BJP's rule in Odisha, a pride for criminals), the members demanded immediate central intervention and a judicial inquiry into the recent 'horrific' incidents. Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said, 'Women and children in Odisha today are completely unprotected. The law and order situation is collapsing.' Citing the incident involving a student of FM College in Balasore, who died after self-immolating when her pleas for justice went unheard, Patra said, 'She approached everyone, including the chief minister, but got no justice.' 'And now in Puri, another young girl was doused in petrol by miscreants and is battling for life at AIIMS Delhi,' he told PTI Videos. He accused the BJP-led Odisha government of being a 'complete failure' and calling its stance on the issues 'convenient and full of double standards.' Patra said the BJD demands a judicial inquiry into both incidents and 'strict action against the miscreants.' BJD MP Muzibulla Khan had similar concerns. He said the BJP raised the slogan of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' to come to power, but it is 'failing to protect our daughters'. Subhasish Khuntia, another BJD MP, said crimes against women and students are continuing 'unabated' under the 'double engine government' in Odisha. 'There is no safety for women under the BJP rule,' he said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJD MPs protest in Parliament over ‘rising' crimes against women, children in Odisha
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MPs staged a protest at the Gandhi statue in Parliament on Tuesday, decrying the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in BJP-ruled Odisha, particularly the surge in crimes against women and children. Carrying placards that read 'Mahilaon ki cheekh aur sarkar ki khamoshi' (the cries of women and the silence of the government) and 'Odisha BJP ka shaasan, apradhiyo ki shaan' (BJP's rule in Odisha, a pride for criminals), the members demanded immediate central intervention and a judicial inquiry into the recent 'horrific' incidents. Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra said, 'Women and children in Odisha today are completely unprotected. The law and order situation is collapsing.' Citing the incident involving a student of FM College in Balasore, who died after self-immolating when her pleas for justice went unheard, Patra said, 'She approached everyone, including the chief minister, but got no justice.' 'And now in Puri, another young girl was doused in petrol by miscreants and is battling for life at AIIMS Delhi,' he told PTI Videos. He accused the BJP-led Odisha government of being a 'complete failure' and calling its stance on the issues 'convenient and full of double standards.' Patra said the BJD demands a judicial inquiry into both incidents and 'strict action against the miscreants.' BJD MP Muzibulla Khan had similar concerns. He said the BJP raised the slogan of 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' to come to power, but it is 'failing to protect our daughters'. Subhasish Khuntia, another BJD MP, said crimes against women and students are continuing 'unabated' under the 'double engine government' in Odisha. 'There is no safety for women under the BJP rule,' he said.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Not viable': Bhubaneswar metro project hangs in balance as Odisha govt cancels tender
Uncertainty looms over the Bhubaneswar Metro Rail Project after the Odisha government has cancelled the tender for the ambitious urban mobility project initiated by the erstwhile Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government. Odisha's Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra said the decision to cancel the tender was taken in view of delay in implementation and to avoid cost escalation. 'The metro project initiated by the previous government wouldn't have been viable. Our government has formed an inter-minister committee to take a fresh look into the project by studying different aspects, its viability and to submit a fresh proposal before the project,' said the urban development minister. Mohapatra said the state government would take up the project in consultation with the Centre unlike the BJD government that had decided to take it on its own. Former Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone of the project on January 1, 2024, months before the simultaneous polls. It was estimated to spend a whopping Rs 6,300 crore to develop the first phase of the project with a length of 26 km from Bhubaneswar Airport to Trisulia near Orissa high court in Cuttack with 20 stations and to extend it to Puri, Khurda and Cuttack subsequently. It was decided to develop the metro rail track and stations on elevated viaduct. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was roped in by the Odisha government to implement the project that floated the tender and engaged different agencies to take up the project. Though ground work for the metro project was started, it hit hurdles after the BJP assumed power in Odisha on June 24. Taking a dig at the BJP government over cancellation of the metro project as he said the double-engine government has 'betrayed' the people of Odisha and the decision will push Bhubaneswar 10 years back. 'It has always been our dream to develop #Bhubaneswar into a world-class city. We have been focusing on world class sports infrastructure, organising marquee international events, providing seamless modern transport and developing the IT ecosystem to transform the temple city into a world class city,' wrote Patnaik on X. Patnaik, in his post, wrote that the Bhubaneswar metro project would have reshaped the way city moves with #MoBus and other last mile connectivity complementing the city transport. 'Apart from alleviating congestion inside the city significantly, it would have been a huge catalyst for the expansion of the city. Realising the urgent need of a Metro System for enhanced mobility, we had set a watertight timeline of 2027 for Phase 1 of the project,' he noted.
