Recently, tensions between India and Pakistan have increased, and after a humiliating loss, members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), including leaders and workers, have taken out their anger publicly. The target was the famous Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad, which has no direct connection to Pakistan but bears the name that is associated with the city of Karachi.
According to NewsMeter, although the India-Pakistan tensions are currently calm, the Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad again became the focus of anger and protests. On Sunday, in Shamsabad, protesters gathered in front of the bakery, waving Indian flags and shouting slogans against Pakistan. The crowd was about a dozen people, openly chanting slogans like “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Victory to Mother India) and calling for Pakistan to be condemned.
The protesters, believed to be supporters of BJP, damaged and tore the shop’s signboard with sticks. The police on duty at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport station were unable to control the situation initially, and the protest intensified. Additional police force was called in to disperse the crowd and restore order.
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The protesters demanded that the bakery change its name or at least remove the word “Karachi” from its sign, considering it insensitive and inappropriate given the current hostility with Pakistan. They claimed that the name creates misunderstandings and does not reflect the bakery’s true identity, as it has no ties with Pakistan.
Karachi Bakery, which has been a part of Hyderabad’s identity for decades, clarified that it has no political or commercial connection with Pakistan. The bakery was established in 1953 by Pickhand Ramanan, whose family migrated from India during Partition in 1947. The name was chosen solely because of their emotional attachment to Karachi, their birthplace.
Police officials confirmed that no arrests were made during the protest, but investigations are ongoing, and further action may be taken. Officials also advised bakery owners to display the national flag on their signage to avoid any confusion among the public.
On May 7, a previous protest had taken place, prompting authorities to reinforce security around the bakery’s branches. The bakery owners, Rajes and Harish Ramanan, appealed to officials, including the Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and the Director General of Police, Jitendra, requesting protection and support amidst the heightened tensions.
This incident highlights how national sentiments and emotional reactions related to India-Pakistan conflicts can escalate into protests, even against businesses that have no political links. The name “Karachi Bakery” has become a symbol of nostalgia and emotional ties for many, but in current circumstances, it has also become a point of controversy.
