Mithai or propaganda? India's dessert names latest victim of 'Pak' tensions
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Several sweet sellers in Jaipur, the capital India's Rajasthan have reportedly renamed Indian confections by removing the word 'Pak'.
Desserts such as Mysore Pak, Moti Pak, Gond Pak, and Aam Pak are now being reportedly sold under new names including Mysore Shree, Moti Shree, Gond Shree, and Aam Shree.
Though the term 'Pak' refers to the sugar syrup stage in traditional Indian sweet-making and has no connection to Pakistan, the change reflects a symbolic shift in tone following a flare-up in bilateral tensions.
In the days since, nationalistic fervour has surged across parts of India. While renaming sweets may seem minor, some locals view the act as a form of cultural assertion.
'The names were never about Pakistan, but if changing them helps send a message, why not?' said one customer outside a shop offering freshly labelled 'Mysore Shree.'
Culinary experts and linguists have pointed out that the suffix 'Pak' originates from Sanskrit, meaning a stage in cooking involving syrup.
The dessert Mysore Pak, for instance, originated in the royal kitchens of Mysuru, Karnataka, and has been a staple of South Indian cuisine for over a century.
Despite the term's historical and culinary roots, the symbolic nature of the renaming has sparked debate. Critics argue that altering food names in response to political tensions risks conflating cultural heritage with modern nationalism.
Shopkeepers report that sales have remained steady, and curiosity about the renamed sweets has brought more customers in.
The online backlash was swift and sharp. Linguists, food lovers, and meme-makers united in ridicule, pointing out that "pak" refers to cooking, not Pakistan.
Social media buzzed with satire: suggestions to rename pakoras and pakwan, jokes about boycotting chini, and quips about turning Pakeeza into Shriza.
Earlier, Karachi Bakery in India's Hyderabad state was vandalised by workers of the right-wing Hindu national Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
The attack occurred around 3pm local time at the Shamshabad branch of Karachi Bakery, where members of the ruling BJP demanded the removal of the word 'Karachi' from the name.
India-Pakistan standoff
The latest escalation between Pakistan and India began on April 22, when an attack in the IIOJK resort town of Pahalgam killed 26 people. India immediately blamed Pakistan for the incident, despite providing no public evidence.
In response, India undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies.
Pakistan strongly rejected the accusation, calling it unsubstantiated, but took reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These included halting trade with India, closing Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, and other countersteps.
Tensions further escalated in the early hours of May 7, when missile strikes hit six cities in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
In a swift military response, Pakistan's armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets, widely regarded as a key asset of the Indian Air Force. Over the following two days, India launched waves of Israeli-made drones, which were also neutralised by Pakistan's military.
The confrontation intensified again in the early hours of May 10, when India targeted several Pakistani airbases with missile strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, damaging Indian military installations, including missile storage sites, airbases, and other strategic targets.
By Saturday evening, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following intense diplomatic efforts overnight. Minutes later, the agreement was confirmed separately by Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian foreign secretary.
But despite the military ceasefire the war of narratives has waged on.
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