For years, the sacred sentiments of Hindus have been routinely violated, and our deities desecrated, through the shocking placement of objectionable images on products sold by major e-commerce websites. From 2005 to 2025, a disturbing pattern has emerged where revered Hindu gods and goddesses are brazenly depicted on items like toilet seat covers, doormats, and lingerie, turning symbols of profound devotion into objects of profound disrespect. This isn’t merely an oversight; it’s a calculated assault on Hindu identity and faith, enabling and normalising the denigration of our most cherished symbols for commercial gain.
This report compiles 13 incidents between 2005 and 2025 involving the display of objectionable pictures of Hindu deities on products sold via e-commerce websites.
AliExpress desecrates Bhagwan Jagannath with doormat sale
On July 29, 2025, the Chinese-owned e-commerce platform AliExpress committed a shocking act of disrespect towards the Hindu faith by selling a doormat brazenly featuring the sacred face of Bhagwan Jagannath. Adding insult to injury, the promotional image showed a foot stepping directly onto the deity’s image, reducing a revered spiritual symbol to a ‘non-slip soft water uptake carpet’ priced at around Rs 787. This incident serves as a stark reminder of how global commercial platforms are being used to profit from the desecration of Hindu deities.
Walmart sparks global outrage for selling deities on slippers and underwear
On December 7, 2024, Walmart ignited global outrage among Hindus for selling products featuring Bhagwan Ganesha, a highly revered Hindu deity, on items as vile as slippers and underwear. This is not merely a case of negligence but a blatant assault on Hindu sentiments and sensibilities. The recurring nature of such incidents from major companies like Walmart and Amazon highlights a disturbing pattern of disrespect toward Hindu gods and goddesses.
Amazon forced to withdraw anti-dharma book ‘Deadly Bhagavat Geeta’ after Hindu protests
In a significant victory for Hindu activism, Amazon was compelled to withdraw a sacrilegious book titled ‘Deadly Bhagavad Gita’ on August 23, 2023, after severe protests were organised at their Nagpur office. The book, published via a self-publishing service owned by Amazon back in 2018, openly targeted a sacred Hindu scripture. The incident proved that a unified and vocal Hindu response is essential to counter the propagation of anti-Dharma narratives on global platforms.
‘Sahara Ray Swim’ brand outrages Hindus by printing deities on bikinis
On April 24, 2022, the clothing brand ‘Sahara Ray Swim’ ignited controversy by printing images of Hindu deities on its new ‘Aura Collection 2022’ swimwear. Owned by Sahara Ray, a surfer-turned-OnlyFans model, the collection featured thongs and micro string tops, turning sacred images of Hindu deities into provocative fashion statements. This exemplifies a disturbing trend of commercial entities exploiting and demeaning Hindu gods and goddesses for profit.
Hindu Mahasangh accuses Amazon.com of insulting gods, demands boycott
On December 3, 2020, the Hindu Mahasangh accused Amazon.com of deliberately selling products that depicted Hindu deities in an objectionable manner. In a strong show of resistance, they protested and submitted memorandums to the prime minister and chief minister, demanding a boycott of the company and swift action against its CEO. This incident highlights the ongoing battle to defend the sanctity of our deities against relentless commercial exploitation.
Amazon forced to remove offensive listings after widespread backlash
On November 10, 2020, Amazon sparked outrage across India by selling products such as toilet seat covers, briefs, and doormats featuring sacred Hindu symbols, including the highly revered elephant Bhagwan Ganesha, on its US website. This blatant act of disrespect prompted widespread calls for a boycott and forced the company to take down the offensive listings, demonstrating that organised pushback can hold these global platforms accountable for their repeated assaults on Hindu faith.
US e-tailer Wayfair under fire for selling bath mats with Shiva and Ganesha imprints
The American e-tailer Wayfair came under fire on May 19, 2019, for selling bath mats featuring the images of Hindu gods Bhagwan Ganesha and Bhagwan Shiva. Priced between USD38 and USD41.99, these products were met with immediate outrage and complaints from Hindu activists. This was not the first time the company had shown such a lack of sensitivity; they had previously been forced to remove a cutting board with Ganesha’s image after similar protests.
Outrage as online platforms sell shoes and toilet seat stickers with Hindu deities
A disturbing pattern of disrespect became evident on May 17, 2019, as people expressed widespread outrage after discovering shoes, slippers, and toilet seat stickers with pictures of Hindu deities being sold on various online platforms. Many condemned these companies for brazenly hurting religious sentiments and insisted that they have no right to profit from the desecration of people’s sacred beliefs.
Hindus demand Amazon remove Ganesha socks and Om flip-flops
On March 6, 2018, angry Hindus urged Amazon.com to immediately recall socks bearing the image of the Hindu deity Bhagwan Ganesha and flip-flops with the sacred Hindu symbol Om. The president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, Rajan Zed, demanded a formal apology, explaining that because Lord Ganesha is worshipped in temples and homes, it is considered highly offensive and impure to place his image on items worn on the feet and legs.
Amazon bows to protests, removes ‘Ganesha’s Hot Dream Pant’
In a significant victory for the Hindu community in America, Amazon removed a pair of pants featuring the Hindu god Ganesha from its catalogue on January 21, 2014. The product, marketed as “Ganesha’s Hot Dream Pant” and sold for up to $79, was manufactured by California-based Teeki. The company was forced to act after protests over the highly offensive nature of the product, which is seen as a desecration in Hindu theology where gods should not be depicted on items associated with the lower body. This incident, following a similar apology from Urban Outfitters, underscored a worrying trend of disrespect from Western brands.
Malaysian Hindus protest sale of slippers with deity images
On February 12, 2011, several ethnic Indian religious organisations in Malaysia, including the Malaysia Hindu Sangam, voiced strong outrage over the sale of slippers bearing the impressions of a Hindu deity in local markets. This blatant disrespect towards the Hindu religion prompted them to appeal to authorities to take immediate action against the importers and distributors, and to have the offensive slippers removed from the market.
Odisha government seeks action against US website for selling lingerie with Hindu gods
The Odisha government took a firm stance on December 21, 2007, against a US-based website, cafepress.com, for selling lingerie with images of Hindu gods, an act that deeply hurt the religious sentiments of people. In response to this deliberate offence, the state’s law minister, B.B. Harichandan, wrote to the Centre and the American embassy, demanding action against the website owner and a cessation of such activities. Separate letters were addressed to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, and the US Embassy in India.
US online store sells undergarments with images of Hindu deities
On February 7, 2005, the US online store Cafe-Press.com displayed a shocking act of desecration by selling women’s undergarments, specifically a “100% cotton ‘Hindu Bhagwan Shiva Classic Thong'” priced at USD12.99, which featured the deity’s face. Another offensive product, the” ‘iGod Shiva Classic Thong’ for USD15,” carried the message: ‘Namaste out loud. You are a Hindu and proud,’ turning sacred symbols into a commercial mockery and a profound insult to the faith.
The period from 2005 to 2025 has revealed a disturbing and persistent pattern of disrespect towards Hindu deities by e-commerce platforms and global companies. Time and again, products ranging from intimate apparel and doormats to bath mats and footwear have been used to carry the sacred images and symbols of Hindu gods and goddesses. This is not merely a string of isolated mistakes but a calculated and systematic assault on Hindu religious sentiments. While a strong and unified response from the Hindu community has, at times, forced the removal of these offensive items, the recurring nature of these incidents underscores a fundamental challenge to the dignity and reverence of our faith. This pattern demands continuous vigilance and a forceful stance against the commercial exploitation and desecration of our most cherished symbols.
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