Hyderabad's Karachi Bakery vandalised. No links to Pakistan, but protesters want name changed

Days after the owners of Karachi Bakery, one of India’s most recognised names in the bakery and confectionery industry, appealed to Indians for support and clarified that the 70-year-old brand has no connections with Pakistan, one of its outlets in Hyderabad was vandalised following a backlash over its name. The incident happened on Saturday around 3 pm, and 10 BJP workers were booked for the vandalism, The New Indian Express reported.

Protests were held outside several outlets in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, with the protestors demanding the company rebrand itself instead of bearing the name of a city from an enemy nation. Viral videos of the attack on Karachi Baker's Shamshabad outlet show men with saffron scarves, carrying the Indian flag and chanting "Pakistan murdabaad" and "Bharat mata ki jai" while attacking the store. The incident has triggered widespread condemnation against the vandals and support for the company.

Speaking to The Indian Express, K Balaraju, inspector, RGI Airport Police Station, said, “No employees at the bakery were harmed. No serious damage was done. We were on the spot within a few minutes of the incident and could disperse the members of the political outfit." He added that the protesters were demanding that the bakery change its name.

Karachi Bakery was founded by Sindhi businessman Khanchand Ramnani in 1953 after he migrated from Pakistan's Karachi to Hyderabad during the Partition of 1947. Since he had to leave his bakery behind, Ramani chose to name his new establishment after his former home to preserve his heritage. It began as a modest retail outlet in Moazzam Jahi Market but quickly became popular for its handmade fruit and Osmania biscuits.