In our country, handlooms are equated with a culture that ensures a continuity of tradition. This idea has become part of the public policy-framing and provides a legitimate basis for the State to support the sector. But the notion of tradition as a single, linear entity is being strongly contested today. The narratives dominant in defining culture/tradition in a particular way are seen to have emerged as the identities and histories of large sections. The discounted and, at times, forcibly stifled identities are fighting for their rightful place in history. Against this backdrop, when we promote handloom as a traditional industry, it is not surprising that large sections of our population choose to ignore it.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
I. There is no need for the State to be involved in any manner in the handloom sector.
II. Handloom products are no longer appealing and attractive in the rapidly changing modern world.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?

The correct option is Neither I nor II.

Let us analyze both assumptions based on the provided passage:

Analysis of Assumption I: "There is no need for the State to be involved in any manner in the handloom sector."
The passage states that the idea of handlooms ensuring a continuity of tradition "provides a legitimate basis for the State to support the sector." It mentions challenges in how tradition is defined, but it does not assume or conclude that state involvement should be completely eliminated. Therefore, Assumption I is invalid.

Analysis of Assumption II: "Handloom products are no longer appealing and attractive in the rapidly changing modern world."
The passage explains that large sections of the population ignore handlooms because the dominant narrative of tradition suppresses their own identities and histories, not because the products themselves lack appeal or attractiveness in a modern market context. Therefore, Assumption II is also invalid.

Since neither assumption logically follows from or underlies the arguments made in the passage, the correct answer is Neither I nor II.