A right-wing organisation, Akhand Parshuram Akhara, has initiated a campaign in Haridwar against the use of the term 'veg biryani'. The group contends that the nomenclature is inconsistent with the city's religious and cultural identity.
As part of the drive, members 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' moving forward.
Akhand Parshuram Akhara president Adhir Kaushik stated that the campaign aims 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. 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 Persian origins and is popular across Central and West Asia, Kaushik maintained that he was comfortable using the word 'pulao'. Local police denied knowledge of 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 been associated with controversy in the past. Earlier this year, he objected to 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 December 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.
