Kashmiri cricket bat makers are considering legal action against Shark Tank India’s claims and are seeking INR 500 crores in compensation

The presentation of a cricket bat manufacturing startup on ‘Shark Tank India’ has stirred controversy within Kashmir’s bat manufacturing industry. Alleging Sony Entertainment Televisions of broadcasting inaccurate information, Kashmiri bat manufacturers are demanding an apology and compensation for damages from the network.

On January 30, Saad and Hamad Tramboo of Tramboo Sports, aspiring entrepreneurs from Kashmir, showcased their business idea on Shark Tank India, focusing on Kashmir willow bat manufacturing. Although the sharks were impressed and the Tramboo brothers secured a Rs 30 lakh deal, Kashmir’s bat manufacturers, who have sustained the industry through tough times, have accused the participants and the TV network of spreading misinformation about Kashmir willow bats.

Fawzul Kabir, spokesperson for the Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association of Kashmir (CBMAK), stated, “This isn’t about Kashmiris versus others. Everyone is welcome in Kashmir’s bat manufacturing industry. However, we won’t allow anyone to discredit our industry.”

Kabir asserts that Sony Television aired a “bundle of lies” on its reality TV show and must take responsibility for spreading misinformation and discrediting the hard work and dedication of bat manufacturers.

“They (participants) portrayed themselves as the sole Kashmir willow bat manufacturers, which is not true at all. The factory they displayed on the reality show doesn’t belong to them; it belongs to Alfa Sports, a member of our association,” Kabir explains. “Shark Tank India was responsible for verifying the information before airing it to the public. Their lack of professionalism has greatly affected the genuine players in Kashmir’s bat manufacturing industry. They should rectify this misinformation on the same show and apologize for misleading the audience.”

The Cricket Bat Manufacturers Association of Kashmir has issued a legal notice to Sony and the two Kashmiri participants.

“The notice states that by claiming to be the exclusive brand from Kashmir providing products to local and international markets, both Sony and the participants have inaccurately misled the public and consumers of products from members of our client’s Association,” the notice reads. “Consequently, your assertions and false statements have tarnished the overall reputation of our indigenous industry, as represented by our client.”

“The Association claims that the spread of ‘misinformation’ regarding Kashmir willow cricket bats has harmed the industry. “The untrue statements made during the ‘Shark Tank India’ episode have resulted in considerable harm to CBMAK’s members, affecting their sales and staining the industry’s reputation,” Kabir explained. “The association argues that the misinformation has misled the public and consumers of its members’ products, posing a significant threat to the livelihoods of over 15,000 directly involved individuals and more than a lakh workers and craftsmen indirectly linked to the industry.”

Saad Tramboo of Tramboo Sports, on the other hand, claims that a few manufacturers who didn’t appreciate the attention they received are misguiding the cricket bat manufacturers association. “The TV program was an hour long, but they only aired about 10-12 minutes. We explicitly mentioned that we’re not the sole manufacturers; there are around 300 others,” Saad informed The Indian Express. “Our aim is to promote Kashmir willow globally. We initially discussed the promotion of Kashmir willow, followed by Tramboo Sports.”

Saad clarified that Tramboo Sports doesn’t operate its own cricket bat manufacturing unit but collaborates with multiple manufacturers. “We source bats from 5-6 facilities. We utilized footage of Alfa Sports’ manufacturing facility with their permission to demonstrate the manufacturing process. They’re one of our several third-party manufacturers,” he explained.

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