A mural of renowned poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal was defaced with black ink by right-wing activists in Jaipur, marking yet another instance of growing hostility toward Muslim figures in India’s cultural and historical landscape.
The mural, originally created as part of a beautification project, was targeted due to claims that Iqbal was the “architect of India’s partition,” despite his passing nearly a decade before India and Pakistan were formed.
This act comes amid a broader pattern of attacks on Muslim heritage, including the renaming of streets and historical sites, calls to erase Islamic influences from public spaces, and increasing vilification of Muslim leaders and intellectuals.
The targeting of Iqbal, best known for composing Saare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara, reflects an attempt to redefine India’s history through a sectarian lens, diminishing contributions from Muslim thinkers.
Iqbal’s philosophical and poetic works, including Zarb-e-Kaleem, explored the socio-political landscape of his time, addressing themes of identity, spirituality, and resistance.
However, his association with Muhammad Ali Jinnah has often been invoked in right-wing narratives that paint him as a divisive figure.
The defacement of his mural is not an isolated incident but part of a larger trend of intolerance, where Muslim figures are increasingly vilified and their contributions to India’s intellectual and cultural fabric are dismissed.
Yet, Iqbal’s legacy as a poet and thinker remains significant, influencing generations through his reflections on spirituality, politics, and the human condition.