As tensions simmer between India and Pakistan, an unexpected symbol of unity, nostalgia, and resistance has emerged from the ovens of a century-old bakery in Hyderabad, Sindh. Bombay Bakery, beloved for its legendary coffee cake, has become the focus of national affection in Pakistan, especially after the vandalism of its Indian counterpart, Karachi Bakery, in Hyderabad, India.
Celebrities like fashion designer Deepak Perwani and actor Sajal Ali have spoken up, expressing pride, love, and sorrow at what these bakeries, and their names, have come to represent.
In a tweet that went viral, Deepak condemned the attack on Karachi Bakery, saying, "We have Bombay Bakery, Bombay Sweets, Bombay Mithai. No one, absolutely no one ever touches their shops. Shameful behaviour."
His post wasn't just a critique of intolerance but also a quiet celebration of Pakistan's own syncretic legacy, where Bombay Bakery, run by a Hindu family, thrives as a symbol of shared taste and heritage.
Sajal chimed in on Instagram with a message that, while subtler, was no less powerful: "In a world full of noise, love and kindness remain the only truth." Her words, though not explicitly about the bakery, resonated deeply with a public eager to reframe the moment; not through anger, but through affection.
The context behind their messages is steeped in political symbolism. Last week, workers from India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vandalised Karachi Bakery in Hyderabad, India. Video footage showed saffron-clad men stepping on Pakistani flags and striking the bakery's sign, outraged at the word "Karachi." Back in 2019, a branch of the bakery in Bengaluru was forced to cover the name "Karachi" after threats from a mob.
Meanwhile, across the border, Pakistanis responded not with counter-attacks, but with culinary pride. On social media, tributes poured in for Bombay Bakery, a 114-year-old institution in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Its famed coffee cake, often rationed to two pieces per customer, has been a staple of birthdays and family traditions for generations. Customers recalled their fathers and grandfathers standing in line for the cake, long before food became politicised.
"This bakery is the pride of Pakistan, regardless of its name," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Others pointed out how it's run by a Hindu family and yet revered across communities, making it a living emblem of coexistence.
"While Indian extremists vandalise bakeries out of hate, here in Pakistan, we honour our heritage with love," another user penned. "Bombay Bakery is more than just a bakery. It's a symbol of shared culture, co-existence, and legacy."
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