Tangmarg dealer faces criminal action for sale of ‘fake handmade carpet’
Tourist duped into paying Rs 2.5 lakh for machine-made rug
By: Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: A carpet dealer based in the popular tourist town of Tangmarg has been blacklisted and deregistered for allegedly selling a machine-made carpet falsely marketed as a handmade Kashmiri masterpiece to a tourist for Rs 2.5 lakh, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The Department of Handicrafts and Handloom has also ordered criminal proceedings against the trader, marking a significant move to curb fraudulent practices in Kashmir’s artisanal markets.
The case surfaced after the duped tourist—believed to be from outside Jammu and Kashmir—raised concerns about the authenticity of the carpet soon after its purchase. A preliminary inquiry was launched by the department, which revealed that the item was mass-produced using machines and lacked the hallmark features of a genuine hand-knotted Kashmiri carpet.
“This is a clear case of fraud and deception. We have blacklisted the dealer, deregistered the outlet, and directed the concerned authorities to initiate criminal action,” said Mussarat Islam, Director of Handloom and Handicrafts Kashmir. “Such acts not only cheat buyers but also bring disrepute to our centuries-old craft and those artisans who painstakingly preserve it.”
Kashmiri carpets—especially the hand-knotted silk and wool varieties—have long been recognized globally for their exquisite detail, durability, and heritage value. Registered under the Geographical Indication (GI) Act, these carpets are painstakingly woven over months or even years and are a lifeline for thousands of artisans across the Valley.
However, the rise in machine-made imitations, often imported or locally manufactured, has dealt a severe blow to this traditional industry. These fakes are frequently passed off to unsuspecting tourists as original, fetching high prices while costing a fraction to produce.
“A genuine Kashmiri carpet has around 360 to 1,200 knots per square inch and takes months of skilled work. These fake carpets are made in hours on looms and have no artistic or heritage value,” said Dr. Farooq Ahmad, a senior researcher at the Craft Development Institute (CDI), Srinagar. “Selling them as handmade is criminal and an insult to our artisans.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the Directorate of Handicrafts has launched a verification and enforcement drive across tourist hotspots including Srinagar, Gulmarg, Tangmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg. All registered handicraft outlets are now being inspected for product authenticity, certification display, and adherence to ethical trade practices.
The department has also issued advisories to tourists and buyers, urging them to demand GI-tagged labels, bills with item descriptions, and proper authentication certificates before making high-value purchases.
“We’re taking proactive steps to ensure tourists are not misled. We’re also encouraging the use of QR codes linked to GI certification to verify product genuineness instantly,” Director Islam added.
The move has been welcomed by several craft associations and artisan unions, who have long complained of unfair competition from dealers selling machine-made goods under the guise of heritage handicrafts.
“This is a welcome step. Honest artisans are losing business because middlemen and traders push fake products for quick profits,” said Habibullah Mir, a third-generation carpet weaver from downtown Srinagar. “If this continues unchecked, the next generation will leave this craft.”
Experts believe that to safeguard the integrity of Kashmir’s handicrafts, stronger enforcement mechanisms, buyer awareness, and digital tracking of certified products must be implemented. Initiatives like craft passports, QR-based GI verification, and artisan branding could help bridge the trust gap.
Meanwhile, legal proceedings against the Tangmarg dealer are likely to set a precedent. If found guilty, the accused could face charges under IPC sections related to cheating and criminal breach of trust, along with penalties under consumer protection and trade regulations.
