Indian law firm hired to fight legal battle over Tangail saree’s GI status: Industries ministry to HC

A law firm has been hired in India to fight a legal battle there over the recent recognition of Bangladesh's Tangail saree as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of India, the industries ministry told the High Court today (6 May). 

Besides, the ministry submitted at the High Court a list of more than a hundred Bangladeshi products which are already GI registered or eligible for getting registered. 

After a hearing, the bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar and Justice SM Moniruzzaman ordered the authorities concerned to submit the list as an affidavit.

On 4 January this year, India's West Bengal secured the GI tag for Tangail sarees, a handloom heritage of Tangail district in Bangladesh, sparking a debate among Bangladeshis. 

According to the industries ministry, an Indian law firm, Mason & Associates, has been hired to fight the legal battle to protect Tangail saree's GI rights. 

However, the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi can change the firm through negotiation, if deemed necessary, it said. 

On 18 February, Supreme Court lawyer Siraj Shukla filed the writ petition with the High Court, seeking directives on preparing a consolidated list of Bangladesh's GI products.

One day later, the High Court asked the authorities concerned to compile a list of all products from every region of the country that officially got GI status or are under process for the recognition.

Speaking with reporters yesterday, Siraj Shukla said, "Tangail saree rightfully qualifies as a GI product of Bangladesh. However, it has been wrongly registered by India as their own product. Over a hundred GI products from various districts have been listed and this list is expected to expand further in the future."

On 8 February, the industries ministry recognised the Tangail saree as a GI product of Bangladesh.