Staff Reporter :
“The people from various corners of Tangail have staged a demonstration, accusing India of appropriating the historic ‘Tangail Saree’ geographical indication (GI) rights. They urge swift action to reclaim this right for Bangladesh, considering it a matter of national cultural heritage.
Protesters, brandishing placards, called for immediate government intervention to secure GI status for Tangail sarees, highlighting its significance in Bangladesh’s cultural heritage.
The uproar began after India’s Ministry of Culture claimed on its official Facebook page on February 1 that “The Tangail saree, originating from West Bengal, is a traditional handwoven masterpiece. Renowned for its fine texture, vibrant colors, and intricate Jamdani motifs, it epitomizes the region’s rich cultural heritage.”
This statement triggered outrage among Bangladeshi netizens, who expressed their discontent on various social media platforms. Geographical Indications, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization, signify qualities, reputation, or characteristics inherent to a specific geographical origin.
During the Tangail demonstration, protesters demanded that the Bangladesh government legally challenge India’s claim and reaffirm the saree’s Bangladeshi origins.
Mueed Hasan Tarit, a participant in the demonstration under the banner of Sachetan Nagorik Samaj, Tangail, expressed deep agitation and sadness. He emphasized the need for immediate registration of Tangail saree as a Bangladeshi product, pledging to strengthen their protests if necessary.
Media worker Tariqul Islam Mithun echoed the sentiment, urging the government to formally protest against India’s GI tagging of the Tangail saree. He underscored the importance of preserving Bangladesh’s cultural identity and heritage.
While Bangladeshi stakeholders are deliberating the next course of action, it is revealed that no formal steps were taken to secure GI recognition for Tangail saree before.
The Department of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries is the authority for providing GI recognition to any product in Bangladesh. Presently, Bangladesh has 21 products with GI status, including Jamdani sarees, hilsa fish, and muslin fabrics.
Officials stated that until yesterday evening, they had not received any formal application for GI recognition of Tangail saree. DPDT officials explained that any traditional product must undergo a complex process before obtaining GI recognition, starting with the submission of an application by a stakeholder.
Raghunath Basak, president of Patrail Tant Malik Samiti of Tangail, expressed unawareness of the GI recognition process until a meeting with Tangail DC Kaiserul Islam on January 30. Despite previous efforts by DPDT, no response was received from deputy commissioners (DCs) across the country regarding potential products for GI recognition.
Kaiserul Islam revealed that the application process for Tangail saree, Madhupur’s pineapples, and Jamurki’s sandesh has been initiated in response to India’s claim. He mentioned India’s documentation asserting that traditional saree makers migrated from Tangail and other parts of Bangladesh to West Bengal, where they developed a different type of handloom saree.
Kaiserul emphasized the importance of the GI tag, noting that a product with this tag typically commands 20 to 30 percent more in the international market. He assured that the application process for Tangail saree is underway, involving the submission of supporting documents and historical evidence.
While considering various options, including negotiations and appealing to the World Intellectual Property Organization, Kaiserul expressed optimism about obtaining GI recognition for Tangail saree, a product with a history spanning over 250 years.”
