The once-vibrant hum of looms in Bagalkot district has fallen silent, replaced by the gnawing anxiety of financial hardship. Two planned textile parks, envisioned as a lifeline for the region’s struggling weavers, remain unopened, leaving artisans in a precarious position. Spanning the constituencies of Bagalkot, Hunagunda, Jamkhandi, and Terdal, this area is renowned for its globally celebrated Guledgudda Khana, Ilakal, and Rabkavi-Banhatti sarees. However, the legacy of these exquisite textiles is threatened by dwindling weaver numbers, a direct consequence of limited market access.

A previously announced textile park in Guledgudda, though promised, remains a distant dream. While the return of the previous administration has sparked renewed hope, concrete action is yet to materialize. A dedicated corporation established to uplift the weaver community struggles with insufficient funding, hindering its ability to provide meaningful support. Weavers are urgently appealing for essential infrastructure, timely fund allocation, and targeted government programs, including labour cards similar to those offered to construction workers.

The crisis has reached a heartbreaking tipping point, with reports of 47 weaver suicides attributed to crushing debt. These artisans now desperately plead for complete loan waivers, a measure they believe is crucial for their survival and the preservation of their unique craft. The future of Bagalkot’s famed textiles hangs in the balance, awaiting decisive intervention to revive its ailing weaving community.