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Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Protest held outside Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad demanding name change
Hyderabad, A group of people held a protest in front of a Karachi Bakery outlet here, demanding that the name be changed, police said on Sunday. Around 10-15 members, holding the tricolour and wearing saffron scarves, gathered in front of the Karachi Bakery store at Shamshabad on Saturday afternoon and raised "anti-Pakistan slogans". The protesters then allegedly tried to damage the outlet's nameboard by hitting it with sticks. They were subsequently dispersed by the police. In a video circulated on social media on Sunday, the nameboard was seen partially covered with a cloth. "The protest was held by 10-15 people on Saturday afternoon, demanding that Karachi Bakery change its name," a police official at the RGI Airport police station said. A complaint was lodged against the protesters, accusing them of obstructing customers by staging the protest in front of the outlet, he added. The promoters of the city-based bakery chain had earlier clarified that they are a "100 per cent Indian brand", after certain groups demanded a name change, citing its association with a city in Pakistan. A protest was also held last week in Visakhapatnam, with similar demands to change Karachi Bakery's name amid conflicts between India and the neighbouring country. Police personnel were deployed near one of the bakery's branches in Hyderabad on May 7 as a preventive measure, after a leader of a right-wing organisation posted a video on social media demanding the name be changed, or else they would do it themselves. Karachi Bakery promoters Rajesh Ramnani and Harish Ramnani said the brand was established in Hyderabad in 1953 by their grandfather Khanchand Ramnani, who migrated to India from Pakistan during partition. They also appealed to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the DGP, and the police to help them retain Karachi Bakery's brand identity and prevent any forced name change. Earlier, the tricolour was also displayed above the nameboards of their outlets in the city.


Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India vs Pakistan—now on the menu: Diaspora divided over fake 'Indian' restaurants abroad
As political unease brews between India and Pakistan, a different kind of dispute is stirring online—one centered not around borders, but buffet tables. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for a new identity debate: how many restaurants claiming to be 'Indian' abroad are actually owned and operated by Pakistanis representing themselves under an Indian label? #Operation Sindoor India-Pakistan Clash Live Updates| Missiles, shelling, and attacks — here's all that's happening Pakistani Air Force jet shot down in Pathankot by Indian Air Defence: Sources India on high alert: What's shut, who's on leave, and state-wise emergency measures The controversy gained momentum after demonstrations erupted in Hyderabad against the iconic Karachi Bakery . Despite bearing the name of Pakistan's bustling port city, the bakery is rooted firmly in Indian soil. Its owner, Rajesh Ramnani, issued a clarification through a PTI report, explaining that the bakery was established in 1953 by his grandfather, Khanchand Ramnani—a Sindhi Hindu who migrated from Karachi during the traumatic Partition of 1947. — PTI_News (@PTI_News) This episode reignited a broader digital conversation. One particularly viral post raised a pointed question: 'How many restaurants in the UK branding themselves as Indian are actually run by Pakistanis pretending to be Indian? And why does this happen?' This sentiment touched a nerve, prompting thousands to weigh in on the authenticity—or lack thereof—of diaspora dining. Some netizens expressed frustration about the murky ownership of these eateries. 'Hold actually adds up,' commented one user. 'But how do we verify which restaurants are truly Indian?' Another suggested a radical idea: 'All Indian restaurants abroad should be mandated to showcase an NRI or OCI certificate from the Indian embassy as proof of identity.' A clip circulating from a popular podcast added fuel to the fire. A speaker claimed that many Pakistanis in cities like London misrepresent themselves as Indian to avoid stigma. Another contributor in the same podcast alleged that nearly every Pakistani restaurant outside South Asia presents itself as Indian to attract a wider customer base. This claim sparked waves of agreement from members of the Indian diaspora and international travelers, who began recounting their own observations. One Indian user in the U.S. remarked, 'We discovered a few restaurants here posing as Indian but run by Pakistanis.' Another user recounted visiting a restaurant in Tokyo: 'The place had an Indian map—but it left out PoK. That's when I realized it was Pakistani-run. I left without eating—not out of hatred, but because I don't support deception.' Currently, there's no global database that tracks the nationality or ethnic ownership of restaurants overseas. In a reflective essay for Bittman, writer Maryam Jillani noted that Pakistani-owned restaurants abroad frequently adopt 'Indian' branding to appeal to broader audiences. As a result, menus are often packed with Indian classics like butter chicken and chana masala, while distinctly Pakistani flavors—such as haleem, kabuli pulao, or Lahori fish—remain noticeably absent.


Economic Times
10-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India vs Pakistan—now on the menu: Diaspora divided over fake 'Indian' restaurants abroad
A social media debate has ignited, questioning the authenticity of restaurants abroad claiming to be Indian. Fuelled by instances like the Karachi Bakery controversy in India, discussions revolve around whether Pakistani-owned establishments misrepresent themselves to attract a wider customer base. This has led to calls for verification and raised concerns about the absence of distinct Pakistani dishes on menus. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads As political unease brews between India and Pakistan, a different kind of dispute is stirring online—one centered not around borders, but buffet tables. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for a new identity debate: how many restaurants claiming to be 'Indian' abroad are actually owned and operated by Pakistanis representing themselves under an Indian label?The controversy gained momentum after demonstrations erupted in Hyderabad against the iconic Karachi Bakery . Despite bearing the name of Pakistan's bustling port city, the bakery is rooted firmly in Indian soil. Its owner, Rajesh Ramnani, issued a clarification through a PTI report, explaining that the bakery was established in 1953 by his grandfather, Khanchand Ramnani—a Sindhi Hindu who migrated from Karachi during the traumatic Partition of episode reignited a broader digital conversation. One particularly viral post raised a pointed question: 'How many restaurants in the UK branding themselves as Indian are actually run by Pakistanis pretending to be Indian? And why does this happen?' This sentiment touched a nerve, prompting thousands to weigh in on the authenticity—or lack thereof—of diaspora netizens expressed frustration about the murky ownership of these eateries. 'Hold actually adds up,' commented one user. 'But how do we verify which restaurants are truly Indian?' Another suggested a radical idea: 'All Indian restaurants abroad should be mandated to showcase an NRI or OCI certificate from the Indian embassy as proof of identity.'A clip circulating from a popular podcast added fuel to the fire. A speaker claimed that many Pakistanis in cities like London misrepresent themselves as Indian to avoid stigma. Another contributor in the same podcast alleged that nearly every Pakistani restaurant outside South Asia presents itself as Indian to attract a wider customer base. This claim sparked waves of agreement from members of the Indian diaspora and international travelers, who began recounting their own Indian user in the U.S. remarked, 'We discovered a few restaurants here posing as Indian but run by Pakistanis.' Another user recounted visiting a restaurant in Tokyo: 'The place had an Indian map—but it left out PoK. That's when I realized it was Pakistani-run. I left without eating—not out of hatred, but because I don't support deception.'Currently, there's no global database that tracks the nationality or ethnic ownership of restaurants a reflective essay for Bittman, writer Maryam Jillani noted that Pakistani-owned restaurants abroad frequently adopt 'Indian' branding to appeal to broader audiences. As a result, menus are often packed with Indian classics like butter chicken and chana masala, while distinctly Pakistani flavors—such as haleem, kabuli pulao, or Lahori fish—remain noticeably absent.


News18
09-05-2025
- Business
- News18
How Many ‘Indian' Restaurants Globally Are Run By Pakistanis? Fresh Discussion Amid Tensions
Last Updated: The conversation gained traction following recent protests in Hyderabad targeting Karachi Bakery, a beloved city institution. As diplomatic tensions simmer between India and Pakistan, a parallel controversy is heating up online — this time over the true identity of 'Indian" restaurants abroad. Social media users are now asking: how many of them are actually run by Pakistanis posing as Indians? The conversation gained traction following recent protests in Hyderabad targeting Karachi Bakery, a beloved city institution. Despite its name referencing Pakistan's financial capital, the bakery is Indian in origin. Owner Rajesh Ramnani clarified that it was founded in 1953 by his grandfather Khanchand Ramnani, a Sindhi Hindu migrant who fled Karachi during the 1947 Partition, according to a PTI report. VIDEO | Protests erupt in Hyderabad against a bakery named after Karachi. The owner clarifies and says, 'Karachi Bakery was founded here in Hyderabad in 1953 by Khanchand Ramnani, who migrated to India during the Partition. It has been 73 years. Our grandfather named it after… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 8, 2025 The bakery controversy triggered a wider online discussion, with one user questioning, 'How many 'Indian' restaurants in the UK are actually run by Pakistanis pretending to be Indian. Now why might that be?" he asked. The Internet jumped into the debate. Some were concerned about the lack of transparency in ethnic restaurant ownership abroad. Another said, 'Every Indian restaurant should compulsorily display its owner's NRI / OCI certificate from their Indian Embassy as a Certificate of Authenticity. ' Every Indian restaurant should compulsorily display its owner's NRI / OCI certificate from their Indian Embassy as a Certificate of Authenticity. Someone demanded official intervention. 'The Indian Embassy should give certification," he said. Indian Embassy should give certification. — Raj Some framed it as a reputational issue. 'No one will be interested to go and dine at a Pakistani restaurant. Not only in the UK, but they also do business in Germany the same way," a user said. No one will be interested to go and dine at a pakistani restaurant. Not only in the UK they do business in Germany too in the same way. — Balaji Balram Singh (@balaji_bal59667) May 9, 2025 A podcast clip being widely shared featured a speaker alleging, 'Pakistanis in London pretend to be Indians to escape humiliation." Another Indian in the same clip claimed that every Pakistani restaurant that opens abroad writes 'we are an Indian restaurant". For those saying this post is not true, watch this. — Jyothish N Pillai (@JyothishNPillai) May 9, 2025 This sentiment resonated with many diaspora Indians and travellers, who began sharing their experiences. An Indian user in the US said, 'We found a few 'Indian' restaurants here in the US run by Pakistanis." We found few 'Indian ' restaurants here in US run by Pakistanis.— Pooja (@Poojas_art) May 9, 2025 Another in Japan shared, 'I went to an Indian restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. It had an Indian map and showed Kashmir without PoK. I instantly recognised that it was being run by a Pakistani. I did not eat there. I had nothing against this owner, but I do not like people who are defrauding other people." I went to an Indian restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. It had Indian map and showed Kashmir without PoK. I instantly recognised that it was being run by a Pakistani. I did not eat there.I had nothing personally against this owner but I do not like people who are defrauding other… — Saurabh Jain (@skjsaurabh) May 9, 2025 'Same in France, most Indian restaurants are run by Pakistanis", another user shared. same in France, most Indian restaurants are run by Pakistanis— François Gautier (@fgautier26) May 9, 2025 There is no official global registry differentiating Indian versus Pakistani ownership of restaurants abroad. In her essay for Bittman, Maryam Jillani says that restaurant owners in the US and other countries often label their eateries as 'Indian" to attract customers, leading to menus filled with Indian staples like butter chicken and chana masala, while authentic Pakistani dishes such as haleem, Lahori fried fish, or kabuli pulao remain underrepresented. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Hyderabad restaurants viral news Location : Delhi, India, India First Published:
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Karachi Bakery is a '100% Indian brand', say promoters amid name row
In the wake of demands from certain groups to change the name of Karachi Bakery here amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the promoters of the city-based chain of bakeries said they are a "100 per cent Indian brand". A social media post by Karachi Bakery on Thursday read "WE ARE PROUDLY INDIAN". "Karachi Bakery is 100 per cent 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 Indian Brand serving India with love," the post further read. Karachi Bakery promoters Rajesh Ramnani and Harish Ramnani said the brand Karachi Bakery was established in Hyderabad in 1953 by their grandfather Khanchand Ramnani, who migrated to India (from Pakistan) during partition. Referring to the recent protest by a group in Visakhapatnam demanding that Karachi Bakery change its name, the owners said that people are protesting as it is named after a city in Pakistan, but the reality is that it is a Hyderabad brand from India. "The brand was named Karachi Bakery by our grandfather as he came to India after partition. We request the Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, the DGP and the Police Commissioner to support us to prevent any change in the name," Karachi Bakery owners told PTI Videos. They further said tricolour was displayed above the signboards of their outlets in the city. Meanwhile, a police official said police personnel were deployed near one of its branches here on Wednesday as a preventive measure after the leader of a right-wing organisation in a social media post put up a video demanding that Karachi Bakery change its name or they would change it. No protest was held and no complaint was also lodged, he clarified.