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Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
'The Prada paradox': Maharashtra artisans meet CM Fadnavis over 'Kolhapuri chappals' at fashion show; raise GI violation issue
Prada-Kolhapuri chappals NEW DELHI: When a global luxury house like Prada walked the Milan runway with what looked unmistakably like Kolhapuri chappals, priced at over Rs 2 lakh, it ought not to have sat well with the artisans who had handcrafted the original for generations. Artisans from Maharashtra have raised alarm over what they see as a clear violation of their geographical indication (GI) rights, after Prada featured chappal-style footwear in its Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection without any nod to Kolhapur or its traditional craftsmen. The GI rights protect products that have a specific origin and possess qualities or a reputation linked to that location. In India, GI tags are granted under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, who hails from Kolhapur, met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, leading a delegation of artisans. The group submitted a letter urging the state to act against what they called a cultural and commercial appropriation. Speaking to news agency PTI, Mahadik said the sandals showcased by Prada are unmistakably Kolhapuri in design, and are being sold at a staggering Rs 1.7 lakh to Rs 2.10 lakh per pair. "We want Prada to give the Kolhapuri identity to their product, and local artisans should get the revenue. If Prada gives us orders, we can manufacture for them. The Kolhapuri brand will reach globally," the BJP leader said. He added that such a collaboration would give artisans both recognition and sustainable income. Mahadik said a public interest litigation (PIL) would be filed in the high court, and he's seeking a meeting with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal to escalate the matter at the national level. In his letter to the chief minister, Mahadik noted that the Kolhapuri chappal received a GI tag from the Government of India in 2019 and that Prada's Milan presentation on June 23 lacked any reference to the source community. "This kind of commercial appropriation not only violates GI regulations but also threatens the livelihood and dignity of thousands of families involved in this traditional trade," he wrote. Kolhapuri chappals, open-toe leather sandals with braided designs, date back to the 12th century and are traditionally handcrafted in Kolhapur and nearby districts like Sangli, Satara, and Solapur. Mahadik has requested the state to raise the issue with the Centre for immediate intervention. He also called for the formation of a protective framework for GI-tagged products at the state level and urged that artisans be given legal and financial assistance in cases of international misuse. He claimed that following the backlash, Prada has taken down photos of the sandals from its official website.
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Chappal chor': Kolhapuri craftsmen meet CM protesting Prada rip-off
MUMBAI: Italian luxury fashion house Prada's showcase of the Kolhapuri chappal-inspired footwear – T-strapped, flat and intricately braided – at the Spring/Summer 2026 menswear collection in Milan earlier this week, has drawn censure from artisans of Kolhapur, where the humble footwear originated in the 12th century. It was awarded a GI (Geographical Indication) tag by the Government of India in 2019. Crossover or cultural theft? The iconic Kolhapuri chappals, handcrafted by generations of artisans in Kolhapur, struts onto the global stage after Prada introduced the footwear during the Milan Fashion Week priced for over ₹ 1 Lakh. (Hindustan Times) The footwear, which defines casual chic in India, in its luxe avatar is priced at ₹ 1.2 lakh. In India a pair of Kolhapuri chappal is sold between ₹ 1000 and ₹ 4000. Objecting to the European brand's cultural appropriation while keeping their craftsmanship in the shadows, a delegation of Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers met chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday requesting him to scale up the case of the brand creating a replica of their craft with the central government. The delegation was led by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik, who also requested the chief minister to intervene. A leader who was present in the meeting, but did not wish to be named, told HT that Fadnavis has assured them that he will bring it to the central government's notice. Mahadik is also planning to file a public interest litigation (PIL) against Prada at the Bombay high court (HC). 'We will soon move court with a litigation against Prada,' Mahadik told HT. Speaking on behalf of the craftsmen, Mahadik said, 'We have no objection to an overseas brand using our design; we only want them to be sold in the name of 'Kolhapuri chappals'. That is our only demand.' He added, since the footwear originated from Kolhapur, the artisans 'should get royalty because Prada is selling each pair above ₹ 1 lakh'. The letter, of which HT has a copy, submitted to the chief minister on behalf of the delegation termed the Italian fashion house's move a 'serious infringement on Maharashtra's cultural identity and artisan rights'. It also stated that 'on June 23, 2025, Italian fashion brand Prada presented its Men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection in Milan, prominently featuring sandals that strongly resemble Kolhapuri chappals, a product awarded a GI tag by the Government of India in 2019'. 'It is reported that these sandals are being sold by Prada at a price of approximately ₹ 1.1- ₹ 1.2 lakh per pair (around €1,200). There is no acknowledgement of the source community, nor is there any revenue or credit flowing to the actual artisans of Kolhapur and nearby districts, who are the true keepers of this craft,' the letter stated. It added, that this 'kind of commercial appropriation not only violates GI regulations, but also threatens the livelihood and dignity of the thousands of families involved in this traditional trade; the state must act swiftly and firmly'. Reacting to the controversy, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar called it a cultural theft. 'Prada's new sandal, priced approximately at ₹ 1 lakh, mimics Maharashtra's GI-tagged #KolhapuriChappal without crediting Kolhapur's artisans. This isn't just copying – it's cultural theft! If Prada won't respect our heritage by branding it right, the Maharashtra government must act against such #ChappalChor.'
India Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
BJP MP seeks action against Prada for Kolhapuri Chappal GI tag violation
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to protect the Geographical Indication (GI) tag of Kolhapuri chappals after Italian fashion brand Prada showcased the traditional footwear without controversy erupted after Prada presented Kolhapuri-style sandals in its Men's Spring Collection at Milan Fashion Week, pricing them at Rs 1.2 lakh without acknowledging the chappals' Indian origin, artisans, or cultural significance. Mahadik alleged this act violated the Artisan Act and disregarded India's GI chappals earned a GI tag from the Government of India in 2019, and have their roots in the 12th century. They are traditionally handcrafted by cobbler communities in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Mahadik said that Prada's move not only infringes on intellectual property rights but also threatens the livelihood and dignity of thousands of artisans. Calling it a direct breach of GI norms, Mahadik appealed to the state government to raise the issue at the international level and with the Centre. His son, Krishnaraj Mahadik, along with community leaders, personally handed over the letter to Chief Minister further stressed the need for immediate awareness campaigns and legal steps to safeguard the identity and heritage of Kolhapuri chappals.- EndsTrending Reel
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kolhapuri chappal makers cry foul over Prada's ‘replica' sandal
Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers have taken strong exception to Italian luxury fashion brand Prada's recently showcased Men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection, alleging that the featured sandals bear a striking resemblance to the traditional Kolhapuri chappals, a product granted Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Government of India. A delegation of Kolhapuri chappal manufacturers met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday to register their protest. Meanwhile, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dhananjay Mahadik said that they are in the process of filing a Public Interest Litigation in the Bombay High Court against Prada. 'A team of lawyers is already working on it. This is to protect the rights of our people, to safeguard their livelihoods. I will also meet Union Minister Piyush Goyal in this regard,' Mr. Mahadik told The Hindu. Prada has come under criticism for allegedly failing to acknowledge Kolhapur's artisans as the source of inspiration for the sandal design. Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar, in a post on social media platform X, stated, 'Prada's new sandal, priced approximately at ₹1 lakh, mimics Maharashtra's GI-tagged #KolhapuriChappal without crediting Kolhapur's artisans. This isn't just copying – it's cultural theft! If Prada won't respect our heritage by branding it right, the Maharashtra government must act against such #ChappalChor.' Mr. Mahadik also wrote to the Chief Minister seeking urgent intervention to 'protect the cultural heritage of Maharashtra.' In Kolhapur, the District Footwear Association convened a meeting on Thursday condemning Prada's alleged appropriation of the design. 'We will also file a criminal writ petition against Prada for this,' Bhupal Shete, a member of the association, told The Hindu. He said over 250 manufacturers and shopkeepers participated in the meeting. 'There are 20,000 artisans here in Kolhapur who make these chappals. All of us manufacturers have come together to condemn Prada. We will also send a memorandum to the Sant Rohidas Charmodyog Vikas Mahamandal to take action in this matter. We are now going to approach the District Collector, the State government, and the Union government,' Mr. Shete said. Speaking about Prada's collection, he added, 'They have called it 'leather chappals'. We have protested against it. They can't do that. We have a GI tag. They haven't acknowledged the name Kolhapuri Chappal. They should come here to buy them, not sell them at ₹1 lakh. What is the advantage to the manufacturers here? They will buy from us at ₹400–₹500 and sell at ₹1.2 lakh.' In his letter to the Chief Minister, Mr. Mahadik stated, 'I wish to draw your urgent attention to a serious infringement on Maharashtra's cultural identity and artisan rights. On 23rd June 2025, Italian fashion brand Prada S.p.A. presented its Men's Spring/Summer 2026 collection in Milan, prominently featuring sandals that strongly resemble Kolhapuri Chappals - a product awarded a GI tag by the Government of India in 2019.' The letter added that the sandals are reportedly priced at ₹1.1–₹1.2 lakh per pair (approximately €1,200), with no acknowledgment or compensation to the original artisans. 'This kind of commercial appropriation not only violates GI regulations but also threatens the livelihood and dignity of the thousands of families involved in this traditional trade. The State must act swiftly and firmly,' Mr. Mahadik's letter stated.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- The Hindu
21 officials suspended over ₹40-crore ‘farm scam' in Maharashtra
Twenty-one government officials in Maharashtra's Jalna district have been suspended for allegedly embezzling ₹40 crore meant for farmers affected by climate disasters like drought and heavy rains. Following a five-month probe, 10 village revenue officers (talathis) were suspended on June 13. Another 11 officials were suspended Thursday, said Additional District Magistrate Ganesh Mahadik. The scam was uncovered in Ambad and Ghansawangi tehsils, which received ₹80 crore under 10 government resolutions passed between 2020 and 2025. 'Of this, ₹40 crore was misappropriated,' said Mr. Mahadik. Investigators found false beneficiaries listed on the government's E-Panchnama Payment Disbursement portal, including friends and relatives of accused officials. 'Some were from outside the village; some land areas were inflated or falsely shown as private,' Mr. Mahadik said. A team led by Deputy Collector Manisha Dandage inspected records of 2.5 lakh farmers and found most genuine farmers received nothing. The investigation is ongoing, with 35 more talathis under scrutiny.
