Kashmiri traders form watchdog squads to tackle counterfeit handicrafts 

The initiative is seen as a step toward restoring consumer trust and preserving the integrity of Kashmiri handicrafts
| Photo Credit:
NISSAR AHMAD

As the government intensified its crackdown on counterfeit handicrafts, showroom owners and handicraft traders in Kashmir have taken it upon themselves to curb the malpractice. 

On July 22, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, cancelled the registration of a showroom that allegedly sold a machine-made carpet to a tourist for ₹2.55 lakh, misrepresenting it as a Geographical Indication (GI)-certified hand-knotted piece. The incident sparked widespread concern among genuine artisans and traders, who fear that such practices tarnish the reputation of Kashmir’s centuries-old handicraft tradition. 

In response, authorities also issued notices to several showrooms, directing them to remove all machine-made carpets falsely displayed as hand-made or face action for deceptive trade practices.  On Wednesday, in a significant move, a group of showroom owners and handicraft traders formed a self-regulatory squad aimed at enforcing ethical trade standards across the Valley. The squad will conduct random inspections, verify product authenticity, and report violations to the concerned authorities. 

The initiative is seen as a step toward restoring consumer trust and preserving the integrity of Kashmiri handicrafts, particularly the globally renowned hand-knotted carpets that carry GGI tags.

“We cannot allow a few unscrupulous elements to destroy the hard-earned credibility of our craft,” said a trader. 

He said that a joint action is necessary not only for the survival of the industry but also to protect the artisans’ livelihood and cultural heritage.

However, he cautioned against generalising the wrongdoing, saying that not all traders should be held accountable for the actions of a few.

Qazi Tauseef, spokesperson of the  Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) told businessline that there was a growing awareness within the industry and a strong resolve to protect the sanctity of the Valley’s traditional crafts, especially handmade carpets and pashmina shawls. 

“However, we believe it is the government’s responsibility to lead the fight to preserve this heritage industry and protect the livelihoods of thousands of artisans,” he said.

To curb the proliferation of counterfeit products, the government conferred GIstatus on 15 traditional items, including Kashmiri carpets and shawls. However, certain traders persist in marketing machine-made rugs and carpets as authentic hand-crafted pieces, thereby undermining the integrity of the craft.

Duping customers 

“Some carpet outlets go so far as to take customers to their workstations, showcasing handlooms to create the impression that they deal exclusively in authentic hand-knotted carpets—only to ultimately sell them machine-made products.”, said Ishafq Hamdani, who runs a carpet business at The Lalit Grand Palace. 

Hamdani said. that most of these machine-made carpets, primarily imported from Iran and Turkey, are falsely marketed as hand-crafted Kashmiri pieces.

“Not every customer is aware of QR codes or GI tagging,” he added.

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Published on July 31, 2025