Devotees of LordJagannath have expressed deep anger and anguish after images of doormats featuring the Chakanaaya:the sacred eyes of the deity, were found being sold on international e-commerce platform AliExpress. One of the product images even showed a foot placed on the design, sparking widespread condemnation.

The incident, viewed as a seriouscultural and religious insult, quickly went viral on social media, with devotees, activists, and citizens demanding accountability from the company. In Jagannath culture, placing a foot on the Deity’s eyes is not just disrespectful but a deeply offensive act.

A local spiritual and socialorganisation, Badadanda Seba, filed a police complaint at the Singhadwar Police Station on July 15, urging authorities to take immediate action. Members, including Manoj Kumar Sahoo, Pinky Kumari, and Sunil Kumar Mahapatra, signed the complaint and called for a strict ban on such offensive products.

“Our sacred symbols are not for sale. This kind of commercialisation that disrespects religious sentiments cannot be tolerated,” said Manoj Kumar Sahoo. “We demand that the product be removed immediately, the company penalised, and stronger measures put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.”

The incident has drawn strong reactions from devotees across India and abroad, with calls for the product to be taken down and for AliExpress to issue an apology. Several users have also launched online campaigns demanding stricter controls over the use of religious imagery.

Police have assured the public that the matter is being investigated, while spiritual leaders from Odisha have urged e-commerce platforms to exercise cultural sensitivity and avoid offending religious sentiments.