In the wake of Operation Sindoor, several sweet shops in Jaipur have decided to rename traditional Indian sweets that contain the word “Pak”, replacing it with “Shree”. The move comes as a response to growing public sentiment following a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, last month.
Why the Name Change?
The word “Pak” in sweets like Mysore Pak, Moti Pak, Aam Pak, and Gond Pak originates from Kannada and Sanskrit, where it refers to a sugar syrup or cooking process. However, due to its phonetic similarity to Pakistan, shop owners have opted for a rebranding.
A local shopkeeper explained, “We have changed the names of our sweets to eliminate ‘Pak.’ For example, ‘Moti Pak’ is now ‘Moti Shree,’ ‘Gond Pak’ is ‘Gond Shree,’ and ‘Mysore Pak’ is now ‘Mysore Shree.’”
Operation Sindoor & Public Sentiment
India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was a response to the Pahalgam attack, which led to heightened tensions between the two nations. Hostilities ceased on May 10, following mutual understanding.
The renaming of sweets is seen as a symbolic gesture of support for the armed forces. While some citizens appreciate the move, others argue that the word “Pak” has no connection to Pakistan and is simply a linguistic term.
Mixed Reactions from the Public
The decision has sparked debate on social media, with linguists pointing out that “Pak” in Mysore Pak comes from the Kannada word ‘Paaka,’ meaning sugar syrup. Some users have criticized the renaming as unnecessary, while others view it as an act of patriotism.
