Karachi Bakery vandalised in India’s Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: A Hyderabad branch of Karachi Bakery, an Indian owned chain, was vandalised by members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday.

The bakery, which got its name from Hindu founder Khanchand Ramnani who migrated from Karachi, is often targeted in times of conflict between Pakistan in India. Videos of the latest attack show right wing activists striking the bakery’s sign, attempting to damage the word Karachi, as police attempt to defuse the situation. They can also be heard shouting slogans against Pakistan as they try to intimidate staff.

The RGI Airport Police Station inspector stated that “No employees at the bakery were harmed” and “no serious damage was done.” The owners of Karachi Bakery took to Instagram to remind that their name alludes to their history, not their nationality.

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Another branch in Banjara Hills had Indian flags placed at the entrance last week. In years past, such as in 2019 following the Pulwama attack, a branch in Bengalaru covered the work Karachi on their sign after being threatened.

In 2008, after the Mumbai terror attacks, the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) began targeting the bakery, requesting the store to change their name. A legal notice was filed in 2020 by the MNS, and in 2021, the Mumbai branch shut down.

On the other end, Pakistan’s Hyderabad in Sindh is home to Bombay Bakery which is run by a Hindu family since the last many decades, in harmony with the majority Muslims in the city. Bombay Bakery is famous for their signature coffee cakes.

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