India's iconic Karachi Bakery (est. 1953) attacked by BJP workers over baseless Pakistan link

May 13, 2025 by News Desk

A branch of the renowned Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad was vandalised on Saturday by alleged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers who demanded the word “Karachi” be dropped from the bakery’s name.

The incident took place around 3 PM at the Shamshabad outlet and is the latest in a series of actions by right-wing groups against businesses with perceived connections to Pakistan.

According to Telangana Police, the protestors have been identified as BJP members and booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to wrongful restraint and property damage.

Inspector K Balaraju of RGI Airport Police Station stated that the group defaced signs and attempted to intimidate staff, though no one was harmed and damage was minimal. “We arrived within minutes and dispersed the crowd,” he said.

Protesters reportedly shouted slogans and demanded the bakery remove “Karachi” from its name, despite its strong Indian roots. Karachi Bakery, established in 1953 by a Sindhi family who migrated during Partition, is entirely Indian-owned and operated. It is now managed by Rajesh and Harish Ramnani and is well-known for its iconic fruit biscuits and Osmania cookies.

One bakery manager reaffirmed their Indian identity, stating: “We are an Indian company. Labeling us as Pakistani is unjust.”

This is not the first time the bakery has been targeted. Just last week, protesters placed Indian flags at the entrance of the Banjara Hills outlet. Similar demonstrations occurred in 2019 following the Pulwama attack, prompting the bakery to seek government protection.

Karachi Bakery currently operates 24 outlets in Hyderabad and has expanded to major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. The recurring attacks are being seen as part of a broader pattern of politically driven campaigns against businesses wrongly perceived as unpatriotic.

No arrests have been made yet, and the investigation is ongoing.