Hyderabad's Karachi Bakery vandalised by BJP activists amid heightened India-Pak tensions

Just days prior, the bakery's outlet in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, faced similar protests, highlighting a troubling pattern amid India-Pakistan tensions.

Hyderabad: A group of BJP activists on Sunday partially vandalised the premises of Hyderabad's iconic Karachi Bakery in Shamshabad while raising anti-Pakistan slogans. This incident marks the second such occurrence following the recent Pahalgam terror attack that has triggered protests targeting the renowned establishment.

The bakery, celebrated across the region for its delectable fruit biscuits, has found itself at the center of controversy despite having no connections to Pakistan other than its name. Just days prior, the bakery's outlet in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, faced similar protests, highlighting a troubling pattern in the wake of heightened India-Pakistan tensions.

BJP workers have been vociferously demanding that the bakery change its name, which references the Pakistani city of Karachi. However, the establishment's founders have consistently maintained that they have absolutely no links to Pakistan, explaining that the name carries historical significance related to their family's migration during Partition.

Amid these challenging circumstances, the proprietors have appealed to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and state DGP Dr Jitender for immediate support and guidance. Their primary concern is ensuring their long-established brand name remains intact and protecting their business from becoming a recurring target whenever diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan deteriorate.

In a heartfelt plea, the owners have also urged the general public to stand in solidarity with them, stressing their authentic Indian heritage and clarifying that they are not associated with Pakistan in any capacity.

Following the escalating protests in both Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam over the name "Karachi," Rajesh and Harish Ramnani, the current owners of the Hyderabad bakery, stressed that their establishment represents an integral part of Hyderabad's cultural identity and is distinctively Indian in every aspect of its operations.

"Our grandfather Khanchand Ramnani established Karachi Bakery in 1953 in Hyderabad. We have been proudly operating in Hyderabad for 72 years. When our grandfather was forced to leave Pakistan during the tumultuous partition in 1947, he sought refuge in Hyderabad and subsequently established this bakery, naming it after his birthplace, the city of Karachi ," the owners in a statement said recently.

"Karachi bakery is a 100 per cent Indian brand founded in Hyderabad, India in 1953. Our name is a part of history, not our nationality. Please support us for what we are: An Indian brand serving India with love," the owners stated.