In a disturbing turn of events, a Kerala-style restaurant named Joshyyettan’s Kerala Thattukada, located near the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) in Hyderabad, became the target of Bajrang Dal and VHP activists. The vigilantes allegedly stormed the eatery on Friday night, attempting to forcibly shut it down for serving beef dishes. Students and witnesses from EFLU reported that the group entered the restaurant, demanded everyone to leave, and accused the owners of offending religious sentiments by including “BDF – Beef Dry Fry” on the menu. This is the first recorded instance in Hyderabad where a restaurant has faced direct mob intimidation over beef consumption.

Locals who joined the protest claimed they were unaware the restaurant served beef and accused the management of lacking proper food licenses. One resident told reporters that they regularly visited the place for tea and snacks, but were shocked to discover beef being cooked in shared vessels. Despite these allegations, police from the Osmania University (OU) station did not respond immediately; however, officers later arrived to prevent further escalation. Witnesses said the intervention helped disperse the crowd before violence could erupt.

While beef consumption is not banned in Telangana, most Hyderabad restaurants avoid including it on their menus due to potential backlash. Kerala cuisine, however, traditionally features beef as a staple dish relished by people of all communities in the state. The targeting of Joshyyettan’s outlet reflects a growing intolerance towards regional food practices and cultural diversity. This incident mirrors similar attacks on Kerala eateries in other parts of India, highlighting how food choices are increasingly being politicized under the guise of religious sentiment.