E-commerce company Amazon India is once again embroiled in controversies. Lawyers and Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have sent a legal notice to the company regarding the objectionable presentation of ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata. Three lawyers of Mumbai High Court have complained to the Mumbai Police Commissioner demanding registration of FIR in this matter. The allegation is that India's scientific and cultural heritage has been ridiculed for commercial gain.
A new controversy has arisen over an advertisement related to the promotion of Amazon's “Amazon Now” service. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti alleges that the image of the great mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata has been presented in the advertisement through humor and satire in such a way that it has insulted his dignity and the ancient scientific tradition of India.
Advocate Amita Sachdeva, who works in the Supreme Court on behalf of the committee, has sent a legal notice to Amazon India. It has also demanded a public apology within 48 hours and removal of the related advertisement from all platforms. The notice states that if action is not taken within the stipulated time frame, civil and criminal action will be initiated against the company.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti said that Aryabhata is not just a historical personality but a symbol of India's scientific consciousness and knowledge tradition. Aryabhata is respected worldwide for popularizing the concept of “zero” in mathematics and for his important contribution to astronomy. Although there are different opinions among historians regarding the invention of zero and its development, Aryabhata's contribution to the development of Indian mathematics is considered undisputed.
The committee alleges that presenting such a great man as a comic character only for commercial promotion is against Indian culture and national pride. This matter has now taken a legal turn. Mumbai High Court advocates Ashish Rai, Pankaj Mishra and Prachi Pandey have submitted a complaint to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and demanded registration of an FIR. It has been said in the complaint that the image of Aryabhata has been shown in the advertisement in such a way that the sentiments of crores of Indians have been hurt.
The complainants claim that it is objectionable to use the great man who gave global recognition to India's scientific heritage in a commercial advertisement in this manner. This should be investigated and a criminal case should be registered against the people responsible.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has also mentioned in its notice that in the past too, Amazon has been accused of inappropriate use of Indian religious and cultural symbols. The committee says that companies should be more sensitive in using national great men, religious symbols and cultural heritage for commercial interests. At present, there has been no official response from Amazon India on this entire controversy. All eyes are now on what stance the company takes on this notice and complaint?
This controversy, which started over an advertisement, has now become a subject of legal and social debate. While one side is calling it an insult to India's cultural and scientific heritage, only after Amazon's response will it be clear in which direction the matter moves further?
