In the central Indian city of Gwalior, a recent act of vandalism targeting female yoga murals has ignited widespread outrage and sparked a conversation about women’s safety and dignity in public spaces. The incident, which involved the defacement of black silhouettes with obscene markings, was captured in a viral video shared by a local school student, leading to calls for action and a subsequent whitewashing of the walls by city authorities.
The video, posted on Instagram last week, showed scratches and marks made around the genital areas of female silhouettes depicted in yoga poses. The teenager who shared the clip expressed her anger and disgust, stating that such acts reflect a “cheap thinking, dirty mentality, and deep disrespect.” Her post resonated with many on social media, where users condemned the vandalism as an attack on women’s dignity and a sign that “women are not safe even in graffiti.”
In response to the growing outcry, a college student and social media influencer named Lokendra Singh took it upon himself to paint over the offensive markings with black paint. His courageous act, which he described as necessary for public decency, also went viral and pressured local officials to intervene. The Gwalior Municipal Corporation then sent workers to whitewash the affected walls, with spokesman Umesh Gupta attributing the defacement to unidentified miscreants and citing a lack of CCTV cameras as a hindrance to identification.
However, activists and commentators have criticized the whitewashing as a superficial solution that fails to address the underlying issue. Kalpana Viswanath, co-founder of Safetipin, emphasized that the vandalism is a form of sexual harassment and highlights the pervasive objectification of women in public spaces. She argued that the real challenge is changing the mindset that leads to such behavior, particularly among young men who may see it as harmless fun.
The murals in Gwalior were part of a city beautification project, featuring brightly colored yoga poses that align with India’s promotion of the ancient practice through initiatives like International Yoga Day. Similar artwork can be found across Indian cities, including the capital Delhi, making this incident a poignant example of how public art can become a battleground for gender issues.
The broader context reveals a pattern of women’s bodies being targeted in public art globally, from discolored bronze statues to vandalized paintings, underscoring the need for systemic change. In India, where men dominate public spaces and women’s access is often limited, incidents like this further restrict freedoms and reinforce patriarchal norms. The teenager’s question—”what about the mentality of the people?”—echoes the frustration of many who seek deeper societal shifts.
Despite the challenges, there is a silver lining in the proactive stance taken by young women and allies. The viral response and subsequent actions demonstrate a growing refusal to accept such behavior silently, with voices from smaller cities like Gwalior leading the charge against patriarchy. This incident has not only highlighted ongoing issues but also inspired a renewed commitment to creating safer and more inclusive public environments for all.
