CAIT Kashmir seeks crackdown on fake Kashmiri handicrafts

Srinagar, Jul 24: The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Kashmir Chapter, has demanded stringent action against the sale of fake Kashmiri handicrafts after a tourist was duped into buying a machine-made carpet for Rs 2.55 lakh under the false claim that it was a GI-certified, hand-knotted Kashmiri carpet.

The fraudulent transaction took place at The Kashmir Art Bazaar in Tangmarg, where the seller allegedly used a forged QR code to mimic official certification issued by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT). Following an investigation, the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, blacklisted the outlet and initiated legal proceedings.

Terming the incident as a serious threat to Kashmir’s cultural and economic identity, CAIT Kashmir said unchecked forgery and misrepresentation could irreparably damage the reputation of Kashmiri artisans and their globally recognised crafts.

Farhan Kitab, President of CAIT Kashmir Chapter, said the case was not an isolated instance but a “wake-up call” for both authorities and consumers. “This is more than a case of fraud. It is an attack on the trust, legacy, and survival of our artisan community. If we fail to act now, we risk losing the centuries-old reputation of Kashmiri craftsmanship.”

Echoing this concern, Peer Imtiyaz, General Secretary of CAIT Kashmir, said: “Counterfeit GI tagging is a direct assault on Kashmir’s cultural economy. Such crimes must face zero tolerance. Exemplary punishment should serve as a deterrent.”

While CAIT appreciated the swift action taken by Director Mussarat Islam and the Handicrafts Department, it called for systemic safeguards to prevent recurrence. These include legal prosecution under GI laws, routine QR code verification at points of sale, a public awareness campaign to help consumers distinguish genuine products, and the formation of a joint enforcement task force comprising officials from the handicrafts department, police, and trade bodies.

CAIT Kashmir said the protection of GI-certified crafts must be seen not merely as a trade issue but as a fight to preserve Kashmir’s heritage and uphold the dignity of its artisan community.