Handloom entrepreneurs and residents of Tangail on Sunday formed a human chain protesting India obtaining GI (geographical indication) status of Tangail sharee and demanded recognition of it as a Bangladeshi product.
It came a day after a group of citizens demonstrated in Tangail against the GI tag of handloom sarees native to this central region of Bangladesh, but claimed by India.
According to industry insiders, Tangail saree is a 200-year-old tradition of Bangladesh so it can`t be Indian.
"We demand immediate cancellation of the GI status of India, Tangail sarees demand GI recognition as a product of Bangladesh," they said.
Ragunath Basak, president of Tangail District Handloom Owners` Association, said that the origin of Tangail saree was meant to be Tangail.
"We strongly protest the recognition of Tangail saree as a GI product of India," he said.
Eminent poet Mahmud Kamal said, Tangail`s saree is a few hundred years old.
He demanded that the government should start the process to get the GI rights of Tangail sharee soon.
Tangail District Administrator Kaisarul Islam said, "We are starting process to get the GI status of three products, including handloom saree. We are hopeful to get it soon."
