Hyderabad-based Karachi Bakery takes the bullet again as India-Pakistan tensions rise

A popular bakery known for their biscuits and confectionery items, Karachi Bakery has once again become a target for naming their brand after one of the largest cities in Pakistan.

In the last 48 hours, the bakery’s management endured threats, protests and vandalism as tensions intensified between India and Pakistan. The most recent warning came from the Telangana chapter of the Bajrang Dal in the backdrop of 'Operation Sindoor'.  

Shivaram, the Convenor of the state's Bajrang Dal said: 

“When there are war clouds over India and Pakistan, Bajrang Dal is warning those who love Pakistan to leave the country. The names which are linked to Pakistan should also be changed. Hyderabad based Karachi Bakery’s name should be changed. We should stand by our army and remove any references to Pakistan. If they do not change the name then nobody should visit the store. We will change the name, if they don’t.”

Karachi Bakery’s branches in the neighbouring states were also targeted by the Hindutva groups. Members of Janajagrana Samithi, a Hindutva outfit backed by the local BJP cell and RSS, protested at one of the benches of the Karachi bakery in Vizag, demanding that they change its name.

The protestors even attempted to vandalise the bakery, putting forward the same argument that the name could be changed to any word that would look and sound Indian. 

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Karachi Bakery was founded by a Hindu migrant, Khanchand Ramnani of Sindhi origin who hailed from Karachi. The bakery was started in 1953, a few years after the Partition. Karachi Bakery has encountered similar incidents in the past, especially when there has been a terrorist attack where fingers are pointed towards Pakistan. 

The bakery shared a story on their Instagram page trying to diffuse the situation. 

“Karachi bakery is 100% Indian brand, founded in Hyderabad in 1953. Our name is part of our history, not nationality. Please support us for who we are … an Indian brand serving India with love.”

In Hyderabad, Karachi Bakery even stuck Indian flags at the entrance of their stores.  

India