Chaos at Ghaziabad Station as Hindu Group Defaces ‘Aurangzeb’ Portrait
A protest erupted at Ghaziabad railway station after Hindu Raksha Dal activists defaced a painting they believed depicted Mughal ruler Aurangzeb, triggering a brief disruption.
The incident occurred on Friday when members of the Hindu Raksha Dal blackened a mural at the station, alleging it was an image of Aurangzeb. The group shouted religious slogans, including “Jai Shri Ram,” and voiced their anger over the portrayal of what they described as a “Muslim invader” on public property.
Vipin Rajput, a member of the group, said, “We don’t want to see the face of a tyrant who committed atrocities against our ancestors. Such people should not be glorified.”
Protesters demanded the removal of such figures from public spaces, stating that the country should instead honor historical heroes like Maharana Pratap, Surajmal, and Brahmji.
Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) of Delhi, Pushpesh Raman Tripathi, issued a clarification, stating that the defaced painting was not of Aurangzeb, but of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor and a prominent figure in the 1857 revolt against British rule.
“We are still collecting full details, but the image was that of Bahadur Shah Zafar,” said Tripathi. “It is unfortunate and wrong to deface public property. We are looking into the matter and appropriate action will be taken.”
The protest led to temporary chaos at the railway station, with passengers caught in the commotion. Authorities restored normalcy soon after and launched an internal review.
The incident has sparked a larger debate about historical interpretation and the use of public spaces for showcasing heritage.
The Ghaziabad station mural was part of a recent beautification initiative aimed at celebrating India’s historical figures. However, the inclusion of Mughal-era personalities has drawn mixed responses from various groups.
While Bahadur Shah Zafar is widely regarded as a symbol of India’s first war of independence, some groups continue to associate all Mughal rulers with oppression, leading to clashes over historical narratives.
As the Railway authorities investigate the incident, they have appealed to the public to respect national property and heritage. Meanwhile, security has been heightened at the station to prevent further disruptions.
