In a decisive move to protect the sanctity of Kashmir’s renowned handicraft sector, a dealer in Tangmarg, Baramulla district, has been blacklisted for fraudulently selling a machine-made carpet under the guise of an authentic handmade Kashmiri carpet. The Department of Handicrafts & Handloom, Jammu and Kashmir, has confirmed that a criminal case has been recommended against the accused for this serious breach of consumer trust and trade ethics.
The dealer was found guilty of misbranding a machine-made product as handmade, a direct violation of the Geographical Indication (GI) certification norms that safeguard the authenticity of Kashmir’s traditional crafts. The act not only misled unsuspecting customers but also tarnished the image of Kashmir’s globally respected artisan community.
This incident comes in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident, which has already made it challenging to persuade travelers to return to Kashmir. Amid efforts to rebuild trust and encourage tourism, such fraudulent behavior sends the wrong message to visitors and buyers, dealing a blow to both the tourism industry and the artisan economy.
“Such acts of misbranding and deceit don’t just violate consumer rights — they directly undermine the GI-certified identity of Kashmiri handicrafts and threaten the livelihood of lakhs of artisans and weavers,” said an official from the Handicrafts Department. “This mentality of deceiving tourists gives Kashmir a bad name. The offenders must be booked under criminal law to set a strong precedent.”
The department has reiterated the importance of GI-tagged authentication and urged buyers to seek certified products from registered dealers. It also assured that further inspections and market surveillance will be strengthened to prevent recurrence of such cases.
This action is being hailed as a necessary step to preserve Kashmir’s cultural heritage and to ensure accountability within the handicraft and tourism ecosystem, both vital pillars of the region’s economy.
