Disturbing Defacement of Women’s Yoga Murals in Gwalior – A High School Student Exposes the Issue

Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh – In an alarming incident, murals depicting women practicing yoga, part of the Smart City project in Gwalior, were defaced with obscene marks by miscreants. The incident came to light when an 11th-grade student, Aashi Kushwaha, shared a video on social media questioning the “smartness” of the city’s mindset.

The Defacement and Its Aftermath:
The murals, painted on walls along roadsides as part of the Smart City initiative, were marred by vulgar symbols, sparking public outrage. The issue gained traction after Aashi posted a video on social media, which quickly went viral. In the video, she expressed her anger and disappointment, stating that the act was a clear reflection of a deeper societal problem.

Aashi’s Post and Outrage:
Aashi Kushwaha wrote in her post, “I had to raise this issue. I pass by this road every day, and every day I feel disgusted and angry seeing this. Gwalior is proudly called a ‘Smart City’, but where is the smartness in its people? This is not just a minor damage; it’s a reflection of a vulgar mindset and deep disrespect. It’s shameful and incredibly disappointing that even a painting of a woman is not safe from such perverse thinking. If this is the state of our mentality, then the term ‘Smart City’ means nothing.”

Initial Hesitations and Concern:
Aashi admitted that she was initially hesitant about posting the video, as she is still in 11th grade and felt she might be too young for such a city-level issue. However, she realized the importance of speaking up. “This problem is not just limited to Gwalior; it’s happening across the country in public spaces. The wall will be fixed and repainted, but what about the mindset of those who view even a woman’s mural as an object? Women are not safe even in paintings. This is humiliating, disheartening, and tragic,” she said.

Public Outcry and Action Taken:
Following Aashi’s post, several social media influencers and concerned citizens took action. Lokendra Singh, also known as ‘Ketu’, arrived at the site with paint and brushes to restore the damaged murals. He said, “When I saw this reel on my social media feed, I was so disturbed that I went to the site and repainted the offensive marks. People should refrain from such acts.”

Municipal Corporation’s Response:
In response to the incident, the Gwalior Municipal Corporation (GMC) decided to cover the entire wall with white paint, erasing all the offensive marks and the artwork. GMC Commissioner, Sangh Priya, explained, “For now, the wall has been painted white. We are planning to organize an event at this location where we will invite Gen Z to repaint the wall with positive messages. The event will also provide snacks and more information will be shared separately.”

Conclusion:
This incident has sparked a larger conversation about public space defacement and the deeper issues of respect and mindset that need to be addressed in society. Aashi Kushwaha’s bravery in exposing this issue has highlighted the need for cultural and social change in urban spaces, emphasizing that true smartness lies not in infrastructure, but in the mindset of its people.