Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a political protest turned hostile in Hyderabad as members allegedly affiliated with the BJP vandalised the Shamshabad branch of the iconic Karachi Bakery. The demonstrators demanded that the bakery change its name, which they claimed was “unpatriotic” due to its association with the Pakistani city.
The incident occurred around 3 PM on Saturday, according to Telangana Police. Officers from the RGI Airport Police Station responded promptly, managing to disperse the protestors before any serious injuries or significant damage could occur.
“No employees at the bakery were harmed. No serious damage was done,” said Inspector K Balaraju. “The board of the bakery was damaged by the protesters, but we reached the location quickly and brought the situation under control.”
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This is not the first time the bakery has come under scrutiny during periods of geopolitical strain. During last week’s peak in cross-border tension, protesters had planted Indian flags outside another branch of the bakery located in Banjara Hills.
Despite the name “Karachi Bakery,” the establishment is fully Indian in origin. Founded in 1953 by a family that migrated from Karachi during the Partition, the bakery is a Hyderabad institution known for its signature fruit biscuits and Osmania cookies. It now boasts 24 branches in Hyderabad and outlets in other major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai.
Speaking to The Indian Express, a bakery manager reaffirmed their Indian identity: “We are an Indian establishment. We cannot be branded Pakistani.”
Owners Rajesh and Harish Ramnani issued a public appeal to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, requesting protection in the wake of rising threats. This is not the first such incident—the bakery was also targeted in 2019 following the Pulwama terror attack.
Police have registered a case under Sections 126(2) (wrongful restraint) and 324(4) (causing damage to property) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). While the FIR has been filed, no arrests have yet been made.
The incident has sparked fresh debate about nationalism, identity, and the targeting of businesses with names that bear historical links to neighboring countries.
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