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!
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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.
