This archive report was first published on 18 November 2019.
On November 18, 2019, Amazon India found itself at the center of controversy after reports emerged that it was selling virginity pills to help women fake their virginity on their wedding night.
The product, called 'i-virgin', consists of small capsules containing a mysterious 'blood-powder' that allegedly imitates human blood. The user is instructed to insert one of these pills in the vagina a couple of hours before the planned intercourse to fake virginity.
According to the producer, the 'high quality blood' completely dissolves, posing no health danger to the user. However, critics argue that by selling such a product, Amazon India is supporting a centuries-old taboo in India where a woman's virginity often determines her worth.
In certain regions of India, the need to pass virginity checks is considered a life-or-death situation, with relatives of the groom inspecting the bed sheets after the newlyweds' wedding night.
Amazon has been selling similar products on its European store for years, including artificial hymens containing bovine blood sold by German company VirginiaCare.
