J&K Authorities Demand Public Apology Over Sale of Fake Kashmiri Silk Carpets

Fast Summary:

• Authorities from Jammu & Kashmir issued notices to e-commerce platform Amazon and West bengal-based firm Jewel Carpet.com for falsely marketing machine-made carpets as ‘authentic Kashmiri Silk’ carpets.
• The products where allegedly sold at deeply discounted prices (₹2,160 and ₹2,630) but claimed to be handmade Kashmiri Silk, which would normally cost upwards of ₹25,000 if authentic.
• Mussarat Zia, Director of the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms J&K, criticized the misrepresentation in a public post on X (formerly Twitter), deeming it harmful to artisans and valuable crafts.
• The authorities demanded removal of misleading advertisements from websites alongside a public apology on the companies’ websites and two national newspapers. Additionally:

– Companies are required to cease sales instantly,
– Provide a written undertaking within three days,
– Face legal action under consumer protection laws for non-compliance – perhaps including criminal proceedings under BNS 2023 and claims for damages.

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