‘Ab Painting Ko Bhi Dupatta Pehna Do’: Gwalior Yoga Art Vandalised, Video Goes Viral
‘Ab Painting Ko Bhi Dupatta Pehna Do’: Gwalior Yoga Art Vandalised, Video Goes Viral
Painting is a form of art that often speaks without words. It can be abstract, symbolic, or minimal, allowing viewers to interpret it in their own way. But when art becomes a target of deliberate damage, it stops being just a painting and starts reflecting the mindset of those who choose to attack it. Such a disturbing incident has come to light from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, where simple wall art meant to promote yoga and wellness was defaced in a deeply unsettling manner.
Along a roadside wall in the city, black silhouette paintings of women performing various yoga postures had been created. The figures were faceless and lacked any defining details, making them neutral and artistic representations rather than realistic depictions. For most people passing by, the artwork barely caught attention. However, the calm presence of these silhouettes was shattered when the paintings were intentionally scratched and vandalised.
The damage was not random. The scratches were focused around areas associated with female anatomy, raising serious concerns about the intention behind the act. Despite the absence of facial features or explicit detailing, someone still felt compelled to target specific portions of the artwork, turning an otherwise harmless public mural into a symbol of regressive thinking.
A video related to the incident has now surfaced on social media, showing a man attempting to undo the damage. Using black paint, he carefully repainted the scratched portions of the silhouettes, restoring each yoga posture one by one. His quiet effort to fix what had been ruined stood in stark contrast to the act of vandalism that preceded it.
The video was shared on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “Women are not safe even in graffiti in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. A young man tried fixing graffiti of Yoga poses on the wall, which was defaced by miscreants.” The post quickly gained traction, drawing widespread attention and sparking intense discussion online.
As the clip circulated, social media users flooded the comment section with strong reactions. One viewer remarked, “We are saying that we are free, is this freedom? Then people are asking what was our girl wearing? An animal remains an animal no matter how well trained it is.” Another pointed out a worrying trend, writing, “And scarier is that these are mostly done by teenagers. We have seen in some posts before.”
Some users highlighted the broader social mindset behind such actions. “Sick mentality in men and women is too aggressive and common in the Hindi belt than anywhere in the country,” one comment read. Drawing comparisons with other countries, another person shared, “I have seen sooo much graffiti in the US. It’s 100 per cent decent, if not art. Some things I wish we really do learn from Americans.”
Others appreciated the man who chose to act rather than ignore the damage. “At least he took the initiative when many saw this, passed by, didn’t like what was done, but ignored it,” a user commented. Another reaction summed up the disbelief many felt: “When something as harmless as graffiti becomes a target, it shows mindset problems.” Sarcasm also found its way into the discussion, with one individual writing, “Paintings ko bhi ghar mai rakho aur dupatta dedo (Keep the paintings inside the house and give them a dupatta too).”
The incident has also brought renewed attention to the evolving role of graffiti in India. Once largely dismissed as vandalism, street art slowly began gaining acceptance in the late 2000s. Around 2007, cities such as Delhi and Mumbai saw a rise in organised graffiti projects, with walls being used to tell stories, spread messages, and highlight social issues.
