Khadi is a hand-spun and hand-woven cloth from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan primarily made out of cotton. It is also known as the Fabric of the freedom struggle and a political weapon in Mahatma Gandhi’s Swadeshi movement.

Khadi is likely to get statutory protection as a Geographical Indication-tagged product unique to the Indian subcontinent. The application sought GI protection both for the Khadi product and the process.

“Various Khadi and Gandhian forums will join the IPR Attorneys Association,” said association president and IPR attorney P Sanjay Gandhi, adding that GI tag for Khadi has been sought under Class 24 of goods categorized as ‘textiles and textile goods (handicraft).”

As for its uniqueness, Sanjay Gandhi said Khadi generated employment for rural population and women at their dwelling places, that too at very low capital cost.

Staking a GI tag for Khadi products made all across India, the IPR Attorneys Association said it was applying on behalf of all manufacturers and producers in order to protect their interests in various states. “Khadi is the only fabric that can be used for production of India’s National Flag, according to the Flag Code of India, 2002.”

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