Hyderabad's Karachi Bakery defends its name after protests: '100% Indian, not a Pakistani brand'

Hyderabad's popular Karachi Bakery has landed in the middle of controversy after protests erupted over its name, which is linked to a city in Pakistan. The backlash comes in the wake of ‘Operation Sindoor’, an Indian military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people, including tourists, were killed.

Following India’s strikes on terror camps across the border on May 7, videos surfaced on social media showing activist groups in Hyderabad protesting outside one of the bakery’s outlets. Protesters demanded that the bakery change its name, claiming that an Indian business should not be named after a city in Pakistan.

VIDEO | Protests erupt in Hyderabad against a bakery named after Karachi. The owner clarifies and says, "Karachi Bakery was founded here in Hyderabad in 1953 by Khanchand Ramnani, who migrated to India during the Partition. It has been 73 years. Our grandfather named it after pic.twitter.com/i6dAkwxDIR
Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 8, 2025

In response to the protests, the bakery’s owners, Rajesh and Harish Ramanani, explained the history behind the name while talking to the news agency PTI. “It has been 73 years. Our grandfather named it after Karachi as he came to India after Partition,” one of the owners said.
They also appealed to the public and the government for support. “We request Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and senior administration officials to help us retain the name. People are showing support by putting up the Indian Tricolour at our outlets across the city,” the owners added.

“Kindly support us as we are an Indian brand and not a Pakistani brand,” the owners stressed.
On Tuesday, members of the Jana Jagarana Samithi (JJS) also held a protest outside Karachi Bakery in the Venkojipalem area of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, calling for an immediate change in the bakery's name.

Notably, Karachi Bakery is a well-known Indian bakery franchise that has been operating since 1953, with outlets across the country. It was founded by Khanchand Ramnani, a Sindhi Hindu who migrated from Karachi to Hyderabad during the Partition in 1947.
So far, no legal action or government directive has been issued regarding the name. However, the bakery has asked for protection and understanding amid the growing unrest.