The Notice To FabIndia By KVIC Sparks A Larger Debate On Khadi Ownership
State-run Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has sent a legal notice to Fabindia for selling garments under the “Khadi” name. The ‘strongly-worded legal notice’ emphasised on KVIC’s ownership of the Khadi brand. Khadi remained a central theme in India’s freedom struggle and after independence became a fashion statement of sorts while remaining a political favourite.
The organisation (Fabindia) was continuing to sell its garments in the name and style of Khadi despite earlier warnings by KVIC and assurances by Fabindia that it will not do so. It is an illegal act and amounts to indulging in unfair trade practiceThe text of the legal notice from the KVIC to Fabindia.
Fabindia claims to be the largest platform in India for good that are produced by predominantly rural artisans. KVIC has alleged that Fabindia uses the word Khadi on its price tags while it uses “Fabindia cotton” in other areas, thus misleading customers.
Quoting the KVIC Act of 1956 and the Khadi Mark Regulations, of 2003, KVIC chairperson V.K. Saxena said that no product could be sold under the Khadi brand without the “Khadi Mark” tag, and that all private establishments would have to buy their Khadi from a government-licenced institution.
Brands that want to market Khadi, must accordinly get a Khadi Mark Regulation Certificate. Saxena added that anyone could sell Khadi if they followed the KVIC regulations.