Centre Takes Action Against Amazon for Alleged Deceptive Trade Practices in Sale of Ayodhya Temple Sweets
In a significant development, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a notice to e-commerce giant Amazon, accusing the company of engaging in “deceptive trade practices” related to the sale of sweets under the name ‘Shri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad.’ The move comes in response to a complaint lodged by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), asserting that Amazon is misleading consumers by selling sweets under the guise of “prasad” from the yet-to-be-inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The CCPA stated that such practices mislead consumers about the true characteristics of the products, influencing their purchasing decisions based on inaccurate representations.
The CCPA specifically pointed out that enabling the sale of food products online with false representations falsely influences consumers to make purchase decisions they might not have otherwise taken, had the accurate attributes of the product been disclosed. Amazon has been given a seven-day deadline to respond to the notice, and if it fails to do so, necessary actions will be initiated against the company under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The products in question listed on Amazon’s platform include ‘Sri Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad – Raghupati Ghee Ladoo, Ayodhya Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad, Khoya Khobi Ladoo, Ram Mandir Ayodhya Prasad – Desi Cow Milk Peda,’ among others.
This move by the Centre reflects a growing concern over deceptive marketing practices and emphasizes the need for strict adherence to consumer protection regulations in the e-commerce sector. The allegations have raised questions about the responsibility of online platforms to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of product information, particularly when it comes to items associated with religious sentiments and beliefs. As the seven-day deadline looms, stakeholders are keenly watching the developments, anticipating the potential impact on Amazon’s operations and the broader regulatory landscape for e-commerce in the country.
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