Munish Sood
Mandi
An incident of objectionable graffiti containing abusive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sparked outrage in Mandi after the writings were found on the rooftop of the busy Indira Market on Friday morning.
The graffiti came to light when shopkeepers and local residents arrived at the market and noticed the offensive messages. The incident quickly drew sharp reactions from the business community and members of the public, who termed it an attempt to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere of the town.
Police personnel rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information, inspected the site and collected evidence. Investigators have also begun scrutinising CCTV footage from cameras installed in and around the market to identify those responsible. A detailed investigation is underway.
Traders strongly condemned the act and demanded exemplary legal action against those involved, stating that such incidents have no place in a civilised and democratic society.
Condemning the incident, Anjana Sharma, a restaurant owner, said, “I strongly condemn this act. It is deeply unfortunate and reflects the negative influence of social media, where some people fail to realise the consequences of such actions. It does not matter which political party I support or oppose. Every citizen has the democratic right to hold different political opinions. However, using abusive or derogatory language against the Prime Minister of India is completely unacceptable. The Prime Minister is not just an individual; he represents the office and the dignity of the world’s largest democracy. Disagreement, criticism and debate are the pillars of democracy, but they must always be expressed with civility and respect.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Neeraj Handa, a local resident, said political differences should never cross the boundaries of decency. “Everyone has the right to express their views in a democracy, but resorting to abusive language against the country’s constitutional office is unacceptable. Those responsible must be identified and dealt with strictly in accordance with the law,” he said.
The incident has generated widespread discussion in the town, with many residents calling for prompt action to ensure that those behind the graffiti are brought to justice. Police are continuing their investigation, and further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe.
