Gurgaon experienced widespread defacement starting Monday as numerous posters appeared across the city. These posters welcomed BJP national president Nitin Nabin, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and other party functionaries. Party workers and councillors placed them in various public spaces.
Posters Cover Public Infrastructure
The posters showed up on flyovers, walls, and other public infrastructure in multiple areas. This action has sparked concerns about property defacement and traffic hazards. Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) officials did not respond to calls seeking comments on the matter.
BJP Defends the Practice
Haryana BJP media in-charge Arvind Saini stated that putting up banners and posters to welcome leaders is a normal practice for party workers. He emphasized that the party always remains mindful about hygiene and cleanliness while following the law. Saini clarified that these banners and posters get removed after the events conclude.
Councillors Raise Concerns
During the previous MCG House tenure, councillors raised issues regarding defacement. Interestingly, several councillors have now participated in putting up the welcome banners across Gurgaon. A councillor, who requested anonymity, expressed disapproval.
"We raised these issues in House meetings as well, since these cause defacement and are a traffic hazard. I was never in favour of such posters being put up. These should be removed by the MCG's enforcement team," the councillor said.
Legal Implications Under Haryana Law
The Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989, makes any form of writing, painting, advertisement, poster, or banner on public property without prior approval a punishable offence. Notices get issued as per the provisions of this Act. The enforcement teams of the civic body then remove these posters.
Before the MCG polls, the civic body released a notice in February directing all political parties and Independent candidates to take down their posters and banners. The notice stated that these materials amounted to defacement of property. Violators face legal consequences under the Act, and FIRs get registered against repeat offenders, according to the civic body.
