Hyderabad Businesses Slammed for Pakistani Names Amid Kashmir Attack Outrage

Hyderabad Businesses with Pakistani Names Face Backlash: Patriotism Under Scrutiny

Patriotic Groups Demand Boycott and Name Changes Amid Kashmir Terror Attack

Hyderabad, April 24, 2025: The recent terror attack in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent Indians, has sparked widespread outrage against Pakistan across the nation. Against this backdrop, businesses in Hyderabad bearing names of Pakistani cities such as Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, and Islamabad are facing intense criticism. Prominent establishments like Karachi Bakery, Peshawar Hotel, and Lahore Sweets are being labeled “shameful” and “unpatriotic” by patriotic groups for continuing to use these names. These groups are demanding the immediate removal of such names, threatening a boycott if their demands are not met.

What’s Behind the Pakistani Names?
Hyderabad, a city that reflects the cultural heritage of pre-Partition India, is home to businesses like Karachi Bakery, established in 1953 by Khanchand Ramnani, a Sindhi migrant from Karachi. Known for its fruit biscuits and plum cakes, the bakery has outlets in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi. Similarly, establishments like Peshawar Restaurant and Kabul Darbar evoke the culinary traditions of the northwest frontier. While these names once symbolized a shared cultural bond, they have become a source of contention in light of Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism, offending patriotic sentiments.

This controversy is not new. In 2019, following the Pulwama attack that killed 40 Indian soldiers, Karachi Bakery’s Bengaluru outlet was targeted by protesters. The management hoisted the national flag and clarified their Indian identity. In 2020, Shiv Sena leader Nitin Nandgaokar in Mumbai demanded that Karachi Bakery adopt a “Marathi” name. In Hyderabad, however, these businesses remain confident in their brand identity. “We trust that Hyderabadis will not disrespect the name of Karachi Bakery,” a bakery representative had stated previously.

What’s the Intent Behind These Names?
Critics question why businesses continue to use names associated with Pakistan, a country with which India has had hostile relations since Partition. Patriotic groups express anger, asking why these businesses are drawn to names linked to a nation accused of sponsoring terrorism. “When our soldiers are sacrificing their lives at the borders, how can businesses justify using names like Karachi or Peshawar?” questioned a member of a patriotic group.

Business owners, however, argue that their names do not signify disloyalty. Many of these establishments were founded by families who migrated from regions that became part of Pakistan post-Partition. For them, names like Karachi or Lahore reflect their cultural heritage. “Karachi Bakery is entirely Indian. The name is a reminder of our roots, not support for Pakistan,” clarified a bakery spokesperson. Critics, however, argue that continuing these names in the current political and emotional climate is unjustifiable.

Public Opinion and Calls for Boycott
In Hyderabad, patriotic groups are intensifying their campaign through social media, with hashtags like #BoycottPakistan and #RemovePakNames trending. “These businesses are run by Indians, not Pakistanis. So why cling to names of a hostile nation’s cities?” read a viral post on X. Citing Pakistan’s renaming of places like Ram Bagh to Aram Bagh and Krishan Nagar to Islampura to erase non-Islamic heritage, critics question why India should tolerate such names.

Public opinion, however, is divided. While some support the boycott, others see it as an overreaction. “Karachi Bakery has been part of Hyderabad’s culture for over 70 years. Changing its name won’t stop terrorism. We should focus on real issues,” opined Sunita Reddy, a local resident. Historians note that names like Karachi, Lahore, and Hyderabad (present in both India and Pakistan) are part of a shared cultural legacy. In Pakistan, businesses like Bombay Bakery and Amritsari Sweets operate without facing similar criticism.

Government and Societal Response
The Central government recently ordered Pakistani nationals to leave India and severed all ties with Pakistan. Reports of celebrations at Pakistan’s embassy in Delhi after the Kashmir attack have further fueled public anger. Against this backdrop, patriotic groups are increasing pressure on businesses. “This is not just about changing a name; it’s about showing respect for our soldiers and victims of terrorism,” stated a group spokesperson.

The Telangana government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter. In similar controversies elsewhere, temporary measures like covering signboards or displaying patriotic symbols were adopted, but permanent name changes have been rare. Business owners fear that changing names could erode brand value and set a precedent for targeting other culturally significant names.

Patriotism Under Debate
The controversy over Pakistani city names in Hyderabad highlights the complex interplay of history, identity, and nationalism. Patriotic groups view it as a test of loyalty, while others see it as an attempt to erase a shared cultural heritage. Businesses like Karachi Bakery and Peshawar Hotel face a tough choice: preserve their legacy or align with the nation’s anger. For now, the “Boycott Pakistan” slogan resonates loudly, but whether it will lead to lasting change remains uncertain.