CM Yadav presents fake ‘Bagh’ print shawl to JP Nadda:MP officials’ blunder at Dhar event exposed by artisans; complaint sent to PMO

A serious lapse by Madhya Pradesh officials has damaged the state’s image and embarrassed the Chief Minister in front of a Union Minister. Fake Bagh print stoles (shawls) were presented to Union Health Minister JP Nadda by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at an official event. The fraud was exposed by Bagh print artisans themselves, who identified the stoles as machine-made copies and complained to top authorities. Fake stole presented at official programme Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited Dhar district on December 23. He was there to lay the foundation stone of a medical college. During the event, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav honoured him with a Bagh print stole. Later, it emerged that the stole was not handmade. It was a cheap market-printed fabric. Artisans spot the fake on social media Bagh print artisans saw photos and videos of the event online. They immediately recognised the stole as fake. They said it was not produced using traditional methods. Complaints sent to top authorities The artisans filed complaints with the Prime Minister’s Office. They also wrote to the Union Ministry of Textiles and the GI Tag Authority. They demanded action against the officials responsible for the lapse. Officials evade responsibility When questioned, several officials avoided giving clear answers. Some even claimed the issue was not serious. Others refused to comment or walked away. What is ‘Bagh’ Print? Bagh print is a traditional handicraft from Dhar district. It is named after the Baghini River. The craft has been preserved for generations. Bilal Khatri, a third-generation artisan, explained the art. Fabric is hand-printed using carved wooden blocks. This process is called stamping. Natural dyes and unique designs Bagh print uses natural dyes made from plants and minerals. This makes it eco-friendly. Red and black colours are most common. The designs include geometric patterns and floral motifs. Bagh print has received a GI tag from the government. Machine copies flood the market Bilal Khatri said fake Bagh prints are widely produced. Screen printing is done in Jobat, Kukshi, and Ujjain. Some traders even get printing done in Surat. An original Bagh print takes up to a month to make. Machine printing produces 25 to 30 pieces per hour. Advanced machines can make over 100 pieces. Risks of screen printing Bhaskar visited a screen-printing unit run by Radheshyam Chauhan. It was operating from a government building near the garden path. Around 15 workers were employed there. Radheshyam said natural dyes were used earlier.But rising demand pushed traders towards screen printing. Chemical dyes are cheaper but harmful. They can cause skin diseases and emit a strong chemical smell. How authentic Bagh print is made Preparing the fabric Cotton or silk fabric is soaked overnight to remove dirt and starch. This is repeated 3 to 5 times. The cloth is then treated with castor oil, raw salt, and goat droppings. After drying, it is soaked in Harad powder to create a yellow base. Printing the design Wooden blocks made from teak or rosewood are used. Red dye is prepared from alum and tamarind seeds. Black dye is made by fermenting iron filings and jaggery. Artisans hand-print the designs carefully. Fixing the colours The printed fabric is sun-dried for several days. It is then washed in flowing water of the Bagh River. Later, it is boiled in copper vessels with Dhavdi flowers and alizarin. This process makes the colours permanent and bright. Final stage The fabric is washed and dried again.The full process takes nearly one month. Only then is an authentic Bagh print ready. Who Bought the Stoles? Praveen Sharma, Nodal Officer, Tourism and Culture CouncilHe admitted to purchasing the stoles. He said the Collector asked for 30 Bagh print stoles. They were bought for Rs 7,500 at Rs 250 each. He claimed he was not an expert on authenticity. He suggested long-time artisans were upset as they were not chosen. Officer walks away mid-question Girish Waghmare, District Village Industries Officer After avoiding questions, he abruptly left his chair. He refused to explain how fake prints reached the event. Senior official refuses responsibility Madan Kumar, MD, Handicrafts and Handloom Department He reacted angrily when contacted in Bhopal. He told reporters to ask the Collector instead. He then disconnected the call. Event in-charge downplays issue Abhishek Chaudhary, In-charge Collector and District Panchayat CEO
He was responsible for overall event arrangements. He avoided meeting reporters directly. Later, he said the inquiry report had been sent to Bhopal. He dismissed the controversy, saying it was “not such a big issue”. Artisans demand accountability The artisans say the incident insults their heritage. They fear fake products will destroy the craft’s identity. They want strict action to protect Bagh print and its GI status.