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Viral video exposes defaced yoga murals in Gwalior
A school student's Instagram post last week revealed deliberate scratches and markings on public murals depicting female yoga silhouettes in Gwalior, central India. The video, showing white defacements around the figures' genitals, triggered widespread anger online.
Student's outrage sparks social media backlash
The teenager, who passes the murals daily, described the act as "cheap thinking, dirty mentality, and deep disrespect" in her caption. Social media users echoed her sentiments, calling the vandalism "shameful" and an "attack on women's dignity." Many expressed unease, noting that "women aren't safe even in graffiti."
Local response and official action
After the video gained traction, college student Lokendra Singh painted over the markings, stating, "Someone had to do it." His intervention prompted Gwalior Municipal Corporation to whitewash the wall. Spokesman Umesh Gupta attributed the damage to "miscreants" but admitted no suspects had been identified due to a lack of CCTV coverage.
The civic body announced a "street wall painting competition" this Sunday, inviting artists to repaint the walls with themes like cleanliness and environmental issues-though yoga was notably absent from the list.
Criticism of whitewashing as a solution
Activists argue that erasing the defacement fails to address the underlying issue. The student who shared the video told the Times of India, "The wall can be fixed, but what about the mentality of those who objectified even a black silhouette of a woman?"
"Even if the vandals were just having fun, it's a form of sexual harassment-whether directed at women or public art."
Kalpana Viswanath, co-founder of Safetipin
Broader context: Women's safety in public spaces
Viswanath noted that in India, where men dominate public spaces and women's access is "limited and fragile," such incidents further restrict their freedom. She emphasized the need to engage young men to challenge harmful attitudes.
Similar cases have occurred globally, including bronze statues of women with discolored breasts from repeated touching and feminist protests against art perceived as misogynistic.
A silver lining: Young women's resistance
Despite the setback, Viswanath highlighted a positive trend: "Young women in smaller cities are refusing to cower. Their courage in speaking against patriarchy is remarkable."
