JULY 26: In a decisive move to safeguard the cultural and artistic legacy of Kashmir, the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir has launched a stringent enforcement drive against the sale of machine-made and misrepresented handicraft items. The department has issued a seven-day ultimatum to all registered handicraft dealers, directing them to immediately remove all non-authentic, machine-produced products from their showrooms.
These imitation products, often imported or mass-manufactured, are frequently marketed deceitfully as traditional Kashmiri crafts, undermining the genuine craftsmanship of local artisans. This not only misleads customers but also threatens the livelihood of thousands of skilled craftspeople whose heritage has been passed down for generations.
As per the directive, failure to comply within the stipulated time will invite strict punitive action, including deregistration, blacklisting, and legal proceedings under the Jammu & Kashmir Tourist Trade Act, Geographical Indication (G.I.) of Goods Act, and relevant sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The crackdown is aimed at preserving the integrity of globally renowned Kashmiri handicrafts such as Pashmina shawls, Kani and Sozni embroidery, papier-mâché items, wood carving, and hand-knotted carpets, which have earned Geographical Indication tags for their authenticity and traditional production methods.
In addition to targeting registered dealers, the department has also urged unregistered sellers dealing in handicrafts to come forward and register with the Quality Control Division at the earliest. This will not only bring them under the ambit of legal trade but also promote transparency and accountability across the sector.
Officials from the department stated that preserving the authenticity of Kashmir’s handicrafts is not only about protecting cultural heritage but also about restoring global confidence in Kashmiri handmade products. The market has seen a surge in complaints from tourists and export partners about counterfeit goods, prompting this firm action.
The department has committed to conducting regular inspections and audits in the coming weeks and has called on the public and stakeholders to support this initiative in order to uphold the dignity of Kashmiri artisans and ensure that heritage is not compromised by commercialization.
