In May 2025, a group of individuals in saffron shawls vandalised a Karachi Bakery outlet in Hyderabad, chanting slogans and asking the bakery to change its name. Why? Because of the use of the word "Karachi" in its name, which brought to mind Pakistan. This wasn't the first time this had occurred. Each time there is a flare-up between India and Pakistan, the bakery, a cultural landmark of Hyderabad's food scene, is targeted.
Who Owns Karachi Bakery?
Karachi Bakery was started in 1953 by Khanchand Ramnani, a Sindhi Hindu from Karachi who moved to Hyderabad following the Partition of India in 1947. He named it Karachi Bakery as a token of respect and remembrance for his native town. Over the years, the bakery gained popularity for its biscuits, particularly the Osmania Biscuit, and has expanded into a pan-Indian brand with shops all over the country. The owners have consistently explained that they have no connections with Pakistan and are proud Indian citizens.
Why is Food Being Used as a Weapon?
For Gods sake
Someone please tell these morons that Karachi Bakery is owned by Sindhi hindus Khanchand Ramnani family who escaped from karachi to Hyderabad after partition
They lost everything in partition but still built their business here with sheer grit and determination… pic.twitter.com/Lnk4cpGWhb— Swathi Bellam (@BellamSwathi) May 12, 2025
Men calling themselves nationalists vandalising an Indian owned Karachi bakery in Hyderabad.
It's a 6-decade old Indian brand founded by founded by Khanchand Ramnani.
Poor Karachi bakery that has nothing to do with Pakistan becomes the victim of idiocy every single time. pic.twitter.com/XDkmtMnkgp— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) May 11, 2025
Food is that which unites people. But in recent years, it has also been used to segment societies and instill fear. The Karachi Bakery attacks are not about the bakery, but about utilizing its name to demonstrate a type of patriotism that is shallow and rooted in hate as opposed to actual love for the nation.
Each time there is a war with Pakistan, Indian restaurants and food companies with "foreign" or "Pakistani" sounding names are attacked. The reasoning goes: if a name sounds Pakistani, then it must be anti-India. This is not just incorrect but also very dangerous.
Mysore Pak Renamed to Mysire Shree: A Display of Idiocy
The absurdity doesn't end here. Some bakeries in Jaipur recently changed the name of "Mysore Pak" to "Mysire Shree" because the owners believed that "Pak" was an abbreviation for Pakistan. This is the best example of ignorance. "Pak" in "Mysore Pak" is derived from Kannada, a language spoken in Karnataka, and is an abbreviated form of "paaka" which means a sweet syrupy base for sweets. It has no connection with Pakistan.
Dr. Sylvia Karpagam, an expert in public health, noted that these steps are indicative of not knowing much about Indian culture and the language. She questioned, "Are all words containing 'Pak' going to be replaced? Will this make us more patriotic or secure our nation?"
The Bigger Picture: Food, Politics, and Identity
Food is a simple means to separate people. One can employ food to indicate who is a part of things and who is not. In India, the vegetarian population is merely 20%, yet at times, the dietary habits of the majority are overlooked, and only particular food is considered "pure". This has the effect of discriminating against meat-eaters or individuals from particular communities.
Food and restaurant attacks are not about food. They're about power and control. They're about who gets to eat what and where. This violates the spirit of the Indian Constitution, which states that everyone is equal and must be treated with dignity.
What Does This Mean for India?
When a bakery or a sweet shop is targeted due to its name, it is not about one shop. It is about the kind of nation we wish to live in. Do we wish to have a nation where individuals are judged based on what they eat or the name of their shop? Or do we wish to have a nation where people can live, eat, and work freely without fear?
The proprietors of Karachi Bakery have appealed to the government and the people. They have hoisted the Indian flag in their establishments and have declared that they are proud Indians. They are not demanding anything extraordinary—only the right to conduct their business without intimidation.
A Call for Common Sense and Compassion
The attacks on Karachi Bakery and the renaming of Mysore Pak show how easily people can be misled and how quickly fear can spread. It is important to remember that food is a part of our culture and history. It should not be used to spread hate or fear.
Rather than targeting bakeries and candy shops, we need to concentrate on actual issues that impact our nation. If we wish to demonstrate our patriotism, we must strive for peace, unity, and prosperity—not fear and division.
Final Note
The history of Karachi Bakery and the rebranding of Mysore Pak is not merely a food story. It's about how we treat others and how we identify ourselves as Indians. Food should unite, not divide. Let us opt for unity, and let us rejoice in India's rich and diverse food culture that makes India different.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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