Kolhapuri chappal row reaches Bombay High Court, PIL seeks compensation from Prada

The controversy surrounding Kolhapuri chappals has intensified with a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Bombay High Court against Italian luxury brand Prada for allegedly copying the traditional footwear design. The petition seeks monetary compensation for the artisans who have safeguarded and sustained the legacy of Kolhapuri chappals for generations.

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According to the PIL, Prada only acknowledged that its new collection was “inspired by Indian artisans” after widespread backlash erupted on social media. The acknowledgment, the plea claims, was made privately and not extended to the actual stakeholders—namely the artisans, the Geographical Indication (GI) Registry, the Indian government, or the public.

The petitioner argues that Kolhapuri chappals are not just footwear but a cultural emblem of Maharashtra, closely tied to the identity and livelihood of local craftsmen. The PIL also urges the court to direct Prada to engage in a formal collaboration with artisan groups. Suggested measures include co-branding, capacity building, and a revenue-sharing model supervised by the court.

The petition further stresses that expecting fragmented artisan communities to pursue individual legal battles against multinational corporations is impractical and unfair. It calls for systemic protection of Indian GI-tagged products to prevent misuse by global fashion houses.

The PIL also references a media report highlighting public outrage over the issue.