‘Karachi’ in name, Indian at heart: Hyderabad’s iconic bakery fights identity crisis

In the heart of Hyderabad, a bakery born out of Partition memories now finds itself at the center of a storm over its name. But its owners want to remind India that what’s in a name is sometimes just history, not allegiance.

Karachi Bakery, the iconic confectionery brand known for its melt-in-the-mouth fruit biscuits and warm nostalgia, is facing renewed pressure to change its name amid rising India-Pakistan tensions. But its owners are standing firm—with tricolours above their stores and a clear message: “We are proudly Indian.”

Founded in 1953 by Khanchand Ramnani, a Sindhi refugee who fled Karachi during Partition, the bakery has long been a part of Hyderabad’s cultural fabric. The name, say the owners, is not political—it’s personal. “Our grandfather named it after his hometown. Karachi was where he came from, Hyderabad is where he rebuilt life,” said current promoters Rajesh and Harish Ramnani.

In a social media post shared Thursday, the bakery wrote: “Karachi Bakery is a 100% Indian brand, founded in Hyderabad, India in 1953. Our name is a part of our history, not our nationality. Please support us for who we are... an Indian brand serving India with love.”

According to a PTI report, the appeal comes after a group in Visakhapatnam demanded the name be changed, sparking fears of a boycott. In Hyderabad, police were briefly stationed outside a branch after a right-wing activist threatened to forcibly alter signage if the bakery did not comply. No formal protest or complaint followed.

Despite the noise, the owners remain hopeful that the public and authorities will support the legacy behind the name. “We request Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the DGP, and the Police Commissioner to help ensure that no one forces us to change our identity,” they told PTI Videos.

Despite these challenges, Karachi Bakery continues to enjoy widespread support from customers who’ve grown up with its signature fruit biscuits and cakes. As India navigates a complex political climate, the bakery is calling on people to judge it by its roots and reputation—not just its name.