‘An attack on women’s dignity’: Walls whitewashed after silhouettes defaced in Indian city
In Gwalior, murals showing stylised figures of women were defaced with obscene markings, prompting authorities to paint over the artwork — sparking outrage as critics call the act an affront to respect and safety for women.
In Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, a stretch of public wall art featuring brightly coloured silhouettes of women in yoga poses and other figures was vandalised with obscene and degrading marks, widely interpreted as sexualised defacement of the imagery. The murals — part of efforts to beautify public spaces and celebrate women’s presence — were posted on social media after a local teenager shared a video of the damage, triggering public backlash.
City authorities responded by whitewashing the entire wall, removing both the original artwork and the offensive additions. The act of defacement was condemned by many online as misogynistic and disrespectful, with commentators describing it as “an attack on women’s dignity” and symptomatic of deeper issues around how women are viewed and treated in public life.
The original murals were intended to contribute to Gwalior’s visual culture under the Smart City initiative, promoting health and community engagement through visual art. Instead, the incident has sparked discussion about civic responsibility, respect for public art, and how women are represented and perceived in Indian cities.
Local officials acted quickly to erase the defaced art, but the debate over vandalism, public space, and gender continues in media and on social platforms.
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