Govt backtracks on banning sale of machine-made items in handicraft showrooms
Srinagar, Aug 30: Kashmir’s world-renowned handicraft sector has been thrown into turmoil after the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom quietly diluted its own July directive that had barred the sale of machine-made goods in handicraft showrooms.
On July 25, the Directorate had issued a sweeping order giving all registered dealers seven days to comply with their sworn affidavits — binding them to sell only genuine Kashmiri handicrafts. The circular was hailed by artisans as a long-overdue measure to protect their livelihoods and the integrity of the craft.
But more than a month later, the government’s stance has shifted.
A senior official admitted that “directions have been passed from the government level” to allow the sale of machine-made goods in handicraft establishments after proper labelling.
This policy reversal has drawn sharp criticism from artisans, dealers of genuine crafts, and cultural commentators who fear the move will sound the “death knell” of Kashmir’s artisanal economy.
Death Knell for Artisans
Former Finance Minister Dr. Haseeb Drabu, reacting to the development, minced no words. Quoting a news report on the government’s U-turn, he tweeted: “Instead of promoting the artisanal crafts economy of Kashmir, the elected UT Government has just sounded its death knell by allowing sale of machine-made goods in handicraft stores. A very regressive decision.”
Trade representatives are equally scathing. Sheikh Ashiq, Member Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), said the decision amounts to betrayal.
“It is regressive and gives up the fate of poor artisans in the hands of monopolists who have already ruined the art and craft of Kashmir. Nobody is stopping them from selling machine-made items, but not under the banner of handicrafts.”
“Let them register under textile or flooring categories. Our artisans have given their blood, sweat and life to this craft. Handicraft showrooms registered with the department must only sell handmade products,” Ashiq stressed.
Warning of the fallout, he added: “This is a matter of survival for 3.81 lakh artisans. The Prime Minister himself gifts Kashmiri crafts to foreign dignitaries, but now we are ruining this legacy.”
Artisans on the Brink
Dealers fear the impact on market credibility. Mujtaba Kadri, a pashmina entrepreneur, said: “This is such a regressive decision, nothing less than the death of Kashmir’s handicraft sector. If handicraft stores are officially permitted to sell machine-made goods, it will be the end of our heritage.”
Artisans echo the sentiment, pointing out that their numbers have already declined drastically. Once employing over a million people, the sector now sustains only 3.81 lakh artisans. Many warn that at the current rate, a decade from now Kashmir may be left with barely any practicing artisans.
Heritage at Risk
For centuries, Kashmiri handicrafts — carpets, shawls, papier-mâché, and woodwork — have been more than just commodities; they are cultural ambassadors. But with machine-made products flooding the market, artisans say their painstakingly handmade work cannot compete with cheap, mass-produced imitations.
The government’s July 25 directive had rekindled hope that Kashmir’s crafts would be preserved through stricter enforcement. Its quiet withdrawal has now left artisans demoralized and trade leaders angry.
What Lies Ahead
Cultural experts warn that if this trend continues, not only will livelihoods collapse but also Kashmir’s global image as a cradle of fine handicraft traditions will be eroded.
As the debate rages, one fact remains clear: the future of Kashmir’s handicrafts — a heritage passed down through generations — hangs in the balance between commercial convenience and cultural survival.
