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In a powerful display of national sentiment, the Indian gem and jewellery industry has declared that all Turkish-style jewellery will now be rebranded as 'Sindoor Jewellery'—a symbolic tribute to Operation Sindoor, India’s successful anti-terror mission in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The move comes amid growing anti-Türkiye sentiment in India, particularly in Surat, a major diamond and jewellery hub. Türkiye’s recent pro-Pakistan stance during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict has triggered widespread disapproval. In response, Surat’s leading jewellers, traders, and citizen groups are not only boycotting Turkish products but also pushing to erase cultural and commercial links with the country.
One notable initiative is the campaign to rename Turkeywaad, a historic locality in Surat named after Turkish traders who once lived there. Piyush Shah of Shri Jinajna Seva Trust, along with support from leaders like VHP’s Dinesh Navadiya, has urged the Surat Municipal Corporation to consider renaming the area to reflect Indian values and national pride.
The All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has told manufacturers and retailers to stop using the term ‘Turkish jewellery’ in branding and marketing. Jewellery pieces formerly categorized as ‘Turkish’—noted for their ornate and oversized design—will now be identified as ‘Sindoor jewellery’, linking them symbolically to patriotism and military valor.
Meanwhile, the impact of the boycott is being felt beyond Surat. In Prayagraj and other trade hubs, vendors across sectors—from marble to dry fruits—have begun rejecting Turkish imports, affecting trade worth hundreds of crores.
Surat Mayor Dakshesh Mavani confirmed that the name change for Turkeywaad will be discussed in upcoming civic meetings.
As these symbolic yet impactful measures unfold, Surat’s diamond city is positioning itself as a torchbearer of cultural reclamation and national pride in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
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