Mysore Pak to Mysore Shree: Jaipur shops rename iconic Indian sweet amid India-Pakistan conflict

Some sweet shops in Jaipur, Rajasthan, have begun renaming some of their traditional offerings, including the well-known 'Mysore Pak'. According to a local shopkeeper, the term 'Pak' has been dropped from all sweet names and replaced with 'Shree'.

“We have removed the word 'Pak' from our sweets' names. We have renamed 'Moti Pak' as 'Moti Shree', 'Gond Pak' as 'Gond Shree', 'Mysore Pak' as 'Mysore Shree',” one shopkeeper told NDTV.

Tyohaar Sweets, a popular sweet shop in the city, is among those adopting the change. The shift appears aimed at expressing national sentiment. Owner Anjali Jain explained to Local18 that the move was intended to spread a sense of patriotism beyond just the soldiers.

“We decided to remove ‘Pak’ from the names of our sweets and replace it with more culturally resonant and patriotic alternatives," she said.

However, the decision has faced pushback. S Nataraj, the great-grandson of Mysore Pak's inventor Kakasura Madappa disagrees with altering the name. In a News18 report, he stated, “Call it Mysore Pak - there can be no other name.”

He further argued that traditions and names tied to cultural heritage should remain untouched. “Just like every monument or tradition has its rightful name, Mysore Pak does too. It shouldn't be altered or misrepresented,” S. Nataraj said.

He also clarified that the word 'Pak' originates from the Kannada word 'Paaka', meaning sugar syrup. Given the sweet’s origins in Mysore, the name 'Mysore Pak' and that there is no 'reason to call it anything else' he told News18.

The renaming trend appears to be a consequence of recent India-Pakistan tensions, particularly following last month’s terror attack in Pahalgam. This change is part of a broader effort to avoid the word 'Pak,' which some perceive as linked to Pakistan. However, 'Pak' in 'Mysore Pak' actually derives from the Kannada word 'paaka,' meaning 'sugar syrup'—a term rooted purely in culinary tradition, not politics.