Urge CM’s Immediate Action to Protect Heritage Craft
AZHAR HUSSAIN
SRINAGAR, July 24: In a major initiative to protect Kashmir’s globally acclaimed handmade carpet industry, a high-level delegation of industry stakeholders, led by noted businessman Sheikh Ashiq, has submitted an urgent representation to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, seeking immediate intervention against the rising menace of counterfeit carpet sales in the region.
Sheikh Ashiq, a veteran of the trade and Board Director of both the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) and the Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), and former President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), is spearheading the campaign to save what he calls the “soul of Kashmir’s cultural legacy.”
Accompanying him were Faiz Nissar, In-charge of CEPC Regional Office Srinagar; Firdous Ahmad and Fayaz Ahmad Wani from the Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organization (KCCDO); Ghulam Nabi Dar, Chairman of MEERAS Carpet Weavers Industrial Cooperative Ltd; and Farooq Ahmad Shah, General Secretary of the Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association (KCMA).
In their representation to the Chief Minister, the delegation expressed deep concern over the growing trend of machine-made carpets—many of them imported—being sold falsely as authentic handmade Kashmiri carpets. These carpets, they claim, are being sold openly in showrooms registered under prestigious labels such as “Handlooms,” “Heritage,” and “Arts & Crafts,” misleading consumers and dealing a severe blow to the already fragile handmade carpet sector.
“This is a direct assault on our heritage, our artisans, and our economy,” said Sheikh Ashiq. “Every fake carpet sold under the guise of Kashmiri craftsmanship chips away at the trust built over generations and pushes our skilled artisans further into economic despair.”
The stakeholders warned that such unethical practices are not only causing irreparable harm to the global reputation of Kashmir’s handmade carpets—famous for their meticulous hand-knotting, intricate patterns, and traditional artistry—but are also threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families across the Valley who rely on this centuries-old craft.
The delegation has called for a comprehensive crackdown on counterfeit sales, demanding a complete prohibition on the sale and display of machine-made carpets in government-registered handicraft showrooms. They urged the government to mandate clear and visible signage assuring customers that only genuine handmade products are being sold.
To enforce these measures, the representation proposes the establishment of a joint enforcement task force made up of government officials and industry stakeholders. This body would be responsible for monitoring compliance, conducting routine inspections, and taking stringent legal action against violators.
The representation further advocates for stricter control on carpet imports and the imposition of higher customs duties on machine-made carpets entering India from foreign markets, especially those being deceptively passed off as Kashmiri products in major Indian cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Goa.
“This is not just an economic issue—it is a cultural emergency,” the delegation warned. “Our artisans are the custodians of a heritage craft that has survived invasions, political turmoil, and globalization. But unchecked fraud and official apathy could wipe it out in a single generation.”
The stakeholders concluded by urging the government to treat the issue as a top priority, calling for swift policy action, enforcement, and awareness-building to protect Kashmir’s iconic carpet industry. They emphasized that a strong and visible stance by the government will not only restore consumer trust but also revive a struggling sector that symbolizes Kashmir’s identity on the global stage.
As Kashmir’s carpet artisans continue to struggle for survival, the delegation’s appeal serves as both a wake-up call and a plea—to preserve a tradition that is not just a means of livelihood, but a proud thread in the fabric of Kashmir’s cultural soul.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today took a serious note of counterfeit machine-made carpets passed off as authentic Kashmiri hand-knotted products and gave instructions to Industries & Commerce department to take strong action against showrooms and retail outlets which are selling machine-made carpets under the label of Kashmir handmade carpets. CM observed that these fakes would damage the globally renowned brand of Kashmiri hand-made carpets and adversely affect the artisan families who depend on this craft for their livelihood.
A delegation of Carpet Export Promotion Council, Indian Silk Export Promotion Council, Meeras Carpet Weavers Cooperative, Kashmir Carpet Cluster Development Organization &Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers Association met the Chief Minister at Civil Secretariat Srinagar calling for prohibiting sale of machine-made carpets in all handicrafts-registered showrooms and stronger enforcement mechanisms. They also raised the issue of some unscrupulous traders making use of fake GI label on machine-made carpets. They called for preserving this craft, Kashmir’s identity and livelihood of artisans.
