Zakia Sultana, senior secretary of the Ministry of Industries, has directed the concerned to speed up the processing of all applications pending for recognition of Tangail sari as Geographical Indication (GI) products.
The traditional Tangail handloom sari will be recognized as GI products in the next few days, said the senior secretary.
She directed the concerned to take necessary steps very quickly in this regard.
The senior secretary gave this instruction in an emergency meeting regarding the recognition of GI products in the conference room of the Ministry of Industry on Monday.
She said that apart from Tangail's sari, Madhupur's pineapple, Narsingdi's lotkon, Banana ( Banana Sagor), Bhola buffalo's raw milk curd, etc, all pending applications for the recognition of GI products should be completed quickly.
No negligence is acceptable in this regard, said the senior secretary.
She said that so far 21 products of Bangladesh have been given GI recognition.
District administrators have been requested to find and apply for one or more products or items from 64 districts of the country. After recognition as GI products, branding initiatives will be taken on behalf of the ministry.
In the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Kaisarul Islam of Tangail said that the application for registration of Tangail sari as a GI product will be submitted within two days after proper documentation. Application fee payment has already been pay-ordered.
It was informed in the meeting that the district administration is concerned about legal issues as India has already declared Tangail sari as their GI product.
If necessary, initiatives will be taken to find a solution through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), said the DC.
In a surprising move, the Ministry of Culture of India has asserted that the famous Tangail sari, a symbol of Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage, actually originates from West Bengal, India.
The controversial claim was made via a Facebook post on the official page of the Ministry of Culture, sparking criticism and humour on social media.
The post claims: “The Tangail sari, originating from West Bengal, is a traditional handwoven masterpiece. Renowned for its fine texture, vibrant colors, and intricate Jamdani motifs, it epitomizes the region’s rich cultural heritage. Each Tangail saree is a testament to skilled craftsmanship, seamlessly weaving together tradition and elegance.”
The claim has triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with netizens expressing discontent and questioning the authenticity of such a statement from an important ministry.
The community in Tangail has also voiced their anger regarding India's claim over the renowned handloom sari, a cherished symbol of Bangladesh's cultural heritage.
Tangail saris, also known as Taat saris or handloom saris, hold a special place globally.
Known for their vibrant colors and intricate designs, these have been a top choice among women.
After India’s claim, the businessmen and locals of the district demanded the GI recognition of Tangail sari as a product of Bangladesh by canceling the GI of India.