Mumbai’s Famous ‘Karachi Bakery’ has been shut down by its ownerS after facing pressure and threats from right-wing groups because of its name which contains name of Pakistan’s largest city — Karachi.
Karachi Bakery is one of India’s oldest and most popular chain of cookie-makers based in Hyderabad (Indian side). The Bakery is owned by a Sindhi Hindu migrant family, the Ramnanis, who moved to India from Karachi during the 1947 partition.
According to Indian media, a local right-wing group called Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS ) is behind the closure.
“After massive protest on Karachi Bakery for its name #Karachi led by Vice President of MNS – @mnshajisaif karachi bakery finally closes its only shop in Mumbai,” MNS leader Haji Saif Shaikh tweeted on March 1 meanwhile he also mentioned his party chief Raj Thackeray.
However, another MNS leader, Sandeep Despande, clarified that the move was not according to the party’s official line.
According to Shaikh, the name of a Pakistani city hurt the sentiments of ordinary Indians and Indian soldiers.
Earlier in November 2020, another Mumbai-based sweet shop named “Karachi Sweet” had faced backlash after which the owner was forced to cover the name plate.
