In a significant development, the Geographical Indication, or GI, tag for the traditional Kolhapuri chappal has been officially confirmed to belong to two government agencies – the Sant Rohidas Leather Industries and Charmakar Development Corporation Limited (LIDCOM) in Maharashtra, and the Dr. Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Limited (LIDKAR) in Karnataka.
This comes after Italian fashion brand Prada featured leather sandals resembling Kolhapuri chappals in its 2025 Spring/Summer collection. Subsequently, a Public Interest Litigation was filed in the Bombay High Court, which was later dismissed. The court observed that only the registered GI holders have the legal right to initiate action.
Against this backdrop, in a joint statement, LIDCOM and LIDKAR have now firmly stated that no other person or body is authorized to represent Kolhapuri chappals globally. The corporations emphasized their commitment to protecting both the GI identity and the rights of thousands of local artisans who keep this centuries-old tradition alive.
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