What was meant to add beauty and promote wellness in Gwalior has instead led to anger and discomfort. In the Madhya Pradesh city, which falls under the Smart City project, murals of women practising yoga on a roadside wall were deliberately defaced by unknown persons. The damage was not random, scratches and marks were made on specific parts of the women’s bodies, leading many to view the act as a reflection of a sexist and deeply disturbing mindset.

The murals were part of the city’s beautification efforts under the Smart City initiative. They showed black silhouettes of women in different yoga poses. The artwork was simple and artistic, with no facial features. It was meant to promote health, fitness, and a positive public environment. However, instead of appreciating the art, someone intentionally damaged it in a disturbing way.

A video of the defaced wall was shared widely on social media and quickly went viral. Many people expressed outrage and sadness, saying the act reflects poor civic sense and a lack of respect for both public property and women. Several users said the vandalism points to a deeper social problem, where women are constantly objectified, even in art.

In response to the incident, a local resident stepped forward and repainted the damaged parts of the murals. Later, another update on social media showed that the murals are now being repainted properly, with restoration work currently in progress. While people appreciated the effort to restore the artwork, many felt that repainting alone is not enough.

Social media users strongly criticised the act, calling it a sign of a “perverted mindset” and “cheap thinking.” Many commented that women are not safe anywhere, not even in their artistic representations on public walls. One user questioned the idea of freedom in society and pointed out how women are often blamed instead of wrongdoers. Another user said such thinking reflects deep-rooted social problems.

Some users also reacted to the repainting decision, saying it is easy to fix walls but very difficult to change mindsets. Others suggested that the murals should include messages about respecting women and warnings about punishment for such acts.

Authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the vandalism. The incident has once again started an important conversation about respect, gender equality, and the need to change attitudes in society.