As India registered Tangail saree as its own, what Bangladesh can do now

A famous and traditional attire from Bangladesh named Tangail Saree is registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) of West Bengal, India. Ever since the Tangail Saree was registered as India’s own, there has been an online-battle between Indians and Bangladeshis on social media.

The question is, why none of those who are now blaming India have not applied or encouraged to apply for registry for Tangail Sarees’ GI? The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) of the Ministry of Industry has confirmed that still no application for Tangail Saree's GI has been made by the Tangail District Commissioner's Office, the Bangladesh Weaving Board or the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BCIC).

Bangladesh's 'political' weakness

Analysts say products that are produced in India and Bangladesh, both countries, India will naturally want to register their rights in their own name first. Legal battles between neighboring countries over various European products have been going on for years. What else is the internal 'policy' weakness of Bangladesh that the GI recognition of the popular products of Bangladesh has been missed?

The position of Tangail Saree as the current cultural dress of Bangladeshi women is very early. Earlier, ownership of Rasgolla, Nakshikantha, Fazli Mango and Coconut Moa has also been registered by India as its own. Honey of Sundarban is also registered by India. But they could have been of Bangladesh. What is the use of unilaterally blaming India without being aware and without applying?

What to do right now

E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh founder and former president Rajeev Ahmed said, 'Tangail Sarees are of many types. Baluchari, half silk—There are 10 to 15 types of Tangail Sarees. Besides Sylhet's Manipuri, Jessore's Nakshi, Dhaka's Mirpur's Katan—these sarees need to apply for GI registration and as soon as possible. You understand that it is already too late.

Rajeev Ahmed also said that apart from saree, the products which are produced in both India and Bangladesh, should get GI recognition first. The application has to be pushed through a long process. To apply, all the 'requirements' have to be fulfilled. For example, Satkara, a fruit is also produced in Sylhet, Bangladesh, and also in Assam, India. Litchi of Dinajpur applies for these also.

Then we have to list our GI covered products in international markets like UK, USA, Australia. Then the GI rights of the products claimed by India should be complained to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) of the United Nations along with appropriate documentation that it is not valid, added Rajeev Ahmed.

Why did India register Tangail Saree as their own?

Products that are produced in other countries including India, to avoid future problems, India is taking recognition of those products as their own to list their most products GI! The data is bringing forward all the facts that go in their favor.

After partition, many Hindu weavers of Tangail migrated to West Bengal, India. They settled down in the colony of Fulia-Shantipur region of Nadia district and took up their old profession again, started making a living by weaving sarees. On that basis, India has accepted this saree with speed (since it is the main partner of Bangladesh).

Bangladesh can still do it

Bangladesh can still register Tangail Saree as its own GI product. There is no legal barrier in this regard. India has GI registered Tangail Saree as a product originating in Nadia and East Burdwan in West Bengal.

In the claims and data given behind it, whatever else, there is no chance to prove that Tangail Saree is originating from West Bengal. And this is where Bangladesh is ahead. Because, in terms of geographical location, Tangail is in Bangladesh.

Therefore, Tangail Saree should be registered as a GI product in Bangladesh as soon as possible. Then it has to be listed in the international market. India's GI registration can then be challenged. Although the work is quite complex, costly and difficult.

Read more: Indiafaces critism for claiming Tangail Saree of its own

How to get GI

Any traditional product has to go through a long process before GI. This recognition is granted by the Directorate of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) of the Ministry of Industry. And the district where the product will be GI, the District Commissioner or any government office has to apply.

But it has been seen that these districts or government authorities have not submitted the required information for that product for a long time despite listing the products. For a product to be GI, the product must have a tradition of at least 50 years, the area where the product is produced, must have recognition. Not only historical documents, but even if there is any mention in ancient literature, it is presented as evidence. Finding these out is a matter of research.

Why is GI recognition important?

As the days go by, the importance of product ownership is increasing in the global context. That is why there is so much fuss about GI. If a culture of a particular region or population contributes to the production of a product, then that product is recognized as a GI product of that region. GI recognition is also a big advantage in terms of international branding. Recognition of GI is important all over the world. And for this reason, the legal battle of Pakistan, India and Nepal over the ownership of Basmati rice is going on!

21 Bangladeshi products have been recognized

Around 2012, India took the initiative to list Jamdani Saree, mango and hilsa fish as GI products. But these products are also available in Bangladesh. But then there was no law in the country for GI. In 2013, that law was passed quite quickly.

Jamdani was registered as the first GI product. This saree is registered as a product of Bangladesh. India also registered Jamdani as a GI product, but under the name 'Upadha Jamdani'. 

In Bangladesh, hilsa, khirshapati mango, muslin, bagda shrimp, Kalijira rice, white soil of Vijaypur, silk of Rajshahi, Shataranji of Rangpur, Kataribhog rice of Dinajpur, Fazli mango of Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj were recognized one by one. And recently Chamcham from Porabari in Tangail, Rasmalai from Comilla, Khawaja from Kushtia, Sesame and Black Bengal Goat got GI recognition.