Hyderabad: In a fresh instance of politically charged vandalism, a group of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers targeted the iconic Karachi Bakery’s Shamshabad outlet in Hyderabad on Saturday, demanding the removal of “Karachi” from its name. The incident occurred around 3 PM, reportedly as part of a larger trend by right-wing groups targeting businesses perceived to have Pakistani links—despite their Indian ownership, reported the Wire.
According to police reports, the protestors, identified as BJP members, defaced the bakery’s signage and attempted to intimidate staff. They raised slogans insisting the name “Karachi” be dropped. The RGI Airport Police Station responded swiftly, dispersing the mob and registering a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to wrongful restraint and property damage.
Inspector K Balaraju confirmed no serious injuries or major destruction occurred. “We reached the spot quickly and prevented escalation,” he said.
Karachi Bakery, founded in 1953 by a Sindhi Hindu family that migrated from Karachi during the Partition, has long held a significant place in Hyderabad’s cultural and culinary landscape. Now managed by Rajesh and Harish Ramnani, the bakery is known nationwide for its signature fruit biscuits and Osmania cookies.
“Our roots are entirely Indian. We are an Indian enterprise through and through,” stated a manager at the bakery, emphasizing that there is no Pakistani ownership or affiliation.
This is not the first time the bakery has faced backlash over its name. Last week, protestors planted Indian flags outside the Banjara Hills branch in a symbolic protest. Similar incidents were also recorded in 2019 following the Pulwama attack, prompting appeals from the management for protection from state authorities.
Despite the ongoing intimidation, Karachi Bakery continues to operate across 24 outlets in Hyderabad and has expanded into cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Observers say the repeated targeting of the establishment reflects a worrying pattern of nationalism being weaponized against Indian businesses with names linked to pre-Partition geography.
No arrests have been made yet, but the investigation is ongoing, said police officials.
