Karachi Sweets: Indian bakery forced to cover up name of Pakistani city
Owner of the bakery has covered its name up with newspapers on orders of right-wing political leader
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Your support makes all the difference.Mumbai’s famous Karachi Bakery has been forced to cover up the Pakistani city in its name after a local leader of the ruling ring-wing political party threatened its owner.
In a viral video, Nitin Nandgaonkar, a prominent figure of the regional Shiv Sena party which holds power in a coalition in Maharashtra state, was seen telling the owner of the famous Bandra district shop to change the name from that of a “terrorist” city.
The video posted on the Sena leader’s Facebook profile shows him saying: “Your ancestors are from Pakistan. You came from the country during the Partition, and you are welcome. I hate the name Karachi. The city in Pakistan is a hub of terrorists.”
The Shiv Sena leader told the sweet shop owner to change the store’s name to “something in Marathi”, the regional Indian language.
“You can name your ancestors in the banner,” he said. “I pay my respects to them. You came from Pakistan but this is your home. You’ll have to do it [change the name]. We will help you with the business. I will give you time...”
Mr Nandgaonkar then turns to the camera and says the owner agreed to his demand. It is unclear when the video was shot. However, he also added that he would visit the store again in 15 days, and claimed that he would help the store owner with the formalities.
The store has now reportedly covered up its name with newspaper. “I don’t want any trouble over this issue,” the owner told India Today. “I have consulted my lawyers and in the days to come I might or might not change the name ‘Karachi’ from the signboards.”
The video of Mr Nandgaonkar has drawn criticism online from those questioning the politician’s intervention. Shiv Sena as a party emerged from the nativist movement in Maharashtra and has long been known for its pro-Marathi stance.
It found a natural ally for a long time with the Hindu nationalist BJP, which rules the country as a whole, but recently broke away to form a new alliance of anti-Modi parties in the Maharashtra state elections last year.
Shiv Sena’s leader Sanjay Raut has reacted to the Karachi Sweets incident, saying Mr Nandgaokar's comments do not reflect the party's official stance. "Karachi bakery and Karachi sweets have been in Mumbai for last 60 years. They have nothing to do with Pakistan. It makes no sense to ask for changing their names now. Demand for changing their name is not Shiv Sena's official stance," Mr Raut tweeted.
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