SRINAGAR: Famed for its centuries-old handicraft tradition from intricate hand-knotted carpets to the world-renowned Pashmina shawls, first introduced to Europe by Queen Josephine of France, Kashmir’s artisan legacy now faces a credibility crisis. Following complaints about Kashmiri handicrafts dealers misguiding tourists and selling them machine-made products by passing off the items as handmade, the J&K government Friday issued notices to all handicrafts dealers in Kashmir Valley, directing them to remove machine-made items from their showrooms within seven days or face blacklisting and deregistration for unfair trade practices.
In the notice, the handicrafts department banned the sale and display of machine-made products in Kashmiri handicrafts stores, reminding dealers that as part of the registration process, they submit a sworn affidavit to the government, stating that they exclusively display and sell genuine Kashmiri handicrafts products at their business establishments.
The notice said that during recent inspections, it was found that “several dealers have violated the extant rules by displaying and selling machine-made products misrepresented as genuine” Kashmiri handicrafts, adding that such “malpractices undermine the authenticity and reputation of Kashmiri handicrafts”. It further directed dealers to ensure that all relevant documents — including GI labelling certifications — are prominently displayed at their showroom for inspection and sale.
On Thursday, J&K CM Omar Abdullah had taken serious cognisance of counterfeit, machine-made carpets being passed off as authentic Kashmiri hand-knotted products and directed action against showrooms and retail outlets engaged in the malpractice. Omar noted that such fake ‘handicrafts’ would damage the globally acclaimed brand of Kashmiri handmade carpets and adversely affect the artisan families depending on this craft for their livelihood.
Earlier on Tuesday, the handicrafts department deregistered a retailer — The Kashmir Art Bazaar on Gulmarg Road — after finding it guilty of selling a machine-made carpet for Rs 2.5 lakh to an unsuspecting tourist, by passing it off as a hand-knotted, GI-certified Kashmiri handicraft. Officials found that the seller had used a fake QR label which closely resembled the official tag used by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, misleading the buyer into believing that the product was an original GI-certified item.
In the notice, the handicrafts department banned the sale and display of machine-made products in Kashmiri handicrafts stores, reminding dealers that as part of the registration process, they submit a sworn affidavit to the government, stating that they exclusively display and sell genuine Kashmiri handicrafts products at their business establishments.
The notice said that during recent inspections, it was found that “several dealers have violated the extant rules by displaying and selling machine-made products misrepresented as genuine” Kashmiri handicrafts, adding that such “malpractices undermine the authenticity and reputation of Kashmiri handicrafts”. It further directed dealers to ensure that all relevant documents — including GI labelling certifications — are prominently displayed at their showroom for inspection and sale.
On Thursday, J&K CM Omar Abdullah had taken serious cognisance of counterfeit, machine-made carpets being passed off as authentic Kashmiri hand-knotted products and directed action against showrooms and retail outlets engaged in the malpractice. Omar noted that such fake ‘handicrafts’ would damage the globally acclaimed brand of Kashmiri handmade carpets and adversely affect the artisan families depending on this craft for their livelihood.
Earlier on Tuesday, the handicrafts department deregistered a retailer — The Kashmir Art Bazaar on Gulmarg Road — after finding it guilty of selling a machine-made carpet for Rs 2.5 lakh to an unsuspecting tourist, by passing it off as a hand-knotted, GI-certified Kashmiri handicraft. Officials found that the seller had used a fake QR label which closely resembled the official tag used by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, misleading the buyer into believing that the product was an original GI-certified item.
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