Right-wing outfit launches campaign in Haridwar to replace ‘biryani’ signage on food carts with ‘pulao’

Haridwar: A right-wing organisation, Akhand Parshuram Akhara, has launched a campaign in Haridwar opposing the use of the term “veg biryani.” The organisation’s members argue that the nomenclature is “inconsistent with the city’s religious and cultural identity.

”As part of the drive, members of the outfit visited food stalls and eateries across the city, placing stickers that read “veg pulao” over signboards and menus displaying the term “veg biryani.” Vendors were also urged to use “veg pulao” instead of “veg biryani” going forward.Akhand Parshuram Akhara president Adhir Kaushik said the campaign was “intended to preserve Haridwar’s traditional and spiritual character.”“Biryani is associated with a Muslim identity and was forcefully imposed by Mughal invaders, which goes against the sanctity of Haridwar, and we cannot tolerate this. We are not against the vendors, but they must change the name from biryani to pulao,”Kaushik said.When informed that the term “pulao” is also believed to have been derived from a word originating in Persia and that the dish is popular across central and west Asia, Kaushik alleged that he was comfortable using the word “pulao.”

Meanwhile, local police denied having any information about the drive. KS Rana, SHO of City police station, told TOI, “We have not received any complaints regarding these incidents. Action will be taken accordingly if a complaint is filed.”Kaushik has in the past, too, been associated with controversy. He had earlier this year objected to the bike-taxi and delivery platform Rapido, alleging that its agents were delivering non-vegetarian food within the pilgrimage town. He was also one of the organisers of the Dec 2021 Dharam Sansad held in Haridwar, which led to the arrest of former Shia Waqf Board chairman Wasim Rizvi in connection with alleged hate speech.