Mob forces Bengaluru’s Karachi Bakery to cover its signboard

February 24: As an aftermath of Pulwama attack, anger seems to be mounting among the people of India. Anything connected with Pakistan appears to irk many, anything remotely related to Pakistan from Indian names, places, and things are inviting the wrath of mobs at many places of the country. A similar incident outside an outlet of the Karachi Bakery chain, in Bengaluru’s Indiranagar.

This Karachi Bakery outlet in Bengaluru was forced to cover up the word ‘Karachi’ on its main name board on Friday, after a mob protesting the reference to Pakistan gathered in front of it. The incident occurred between 8 pm and 8.30 pm on Friday evening on 100 Feet Road in Indiranagar when a group of 20-25 men assembled in front of the bakery and raised slogans, insisting that the establishment change its name. The men refused to identify themselves but forced the staff to cover ‘Karachi’ on the name board.

The staff, fearing repercussions, went on to cover that portion of the name and also put up the Indian national flag on their building. However, there was no incidence of violence or damage to property. While reacting to this incident, the Manger of the establishment said, “They thought we are from Pakistan. But we have been using this name for the last 53 years. The owners are Hindus; only the name is Karachi bakery. To satisfy them, we put up the Indian flag.”

Karachi Bakery was founded by Khanchand Ramnani, who migrated to India during the partition in 1947. The bakery’s first outlet was opened in Hyderabad and has grown into a nationwide franchise. The bakery is popular for its fruit biscuits. Other outlets of Karachi Bakery in Bengaluru have also received threatening calls since February 17 from groups demanding that the firm should change its name or shut down the business, employees said. Other outlets of Karachi Bakery in Bengaluru have also received threatening calls since February 17 from groups demanding that the firm should change its name or shut down the business, employees said.