By Amrit Pal Singh #Babushahi Network
Bathinda, August 28: Law or no law, Bathinda’s walls, poles, parks and public spaces continue to be treated as advertising boards. From political posters and commercial advertisements to banners and graffiti, unauthorised defacement has become a common sight across the city, raising serious questions over the enforcement of the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1997.
What is particularly galling for residents is that the violations are not confined to obscure corners. Bus stands, railway station areas, markets, street-light poles, parks, sidewalks, boundary walls and prominent roads are all being used for indiscriminate publicity. Even walls and structures reflecting Bathinda’s historical and heritage character have not escaped the poster menace.
The Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1997, clearly prohibits the defacement of public or private property through posters, notices, paintings, banners or similar material without prior written permission from the competent authority.
The offence is cognisable and punishable with imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of up to Rs 1,000, or both. The law also provides for the removal of unauthorised writings, posters and other forms of defacement from public and private property.
Yet, on the ground, the law appears to be gathering dust while the walls keep filling up.
Residents allege that the absence of sustained enforcement has emboldened agencies, political groups, private institutions and individuals to repeatedly violate the rules. Even when posters are removed from a particular location, fresh ones reportedly appear within days, turning cleaning exercises into a seemingly endless battle.
“Defacement of property has become a growing menace in Bathinda. Posters and banners can be seen openly at public places, particularly on Ajit Road, Power House Road and several other stretches of the city,” said advocate Gurvinder Singh.
He said the authorities could no longer afford to treat the issue as a minor civic nuisance. “It is high time the authorities took action against those violating the rules. If the menace is allowed to continue, Bathinda will gradually lose its charm and aesthetic appeal. Citizens should also come forward and lodge complaints against those responsible for defacing public property,” he said.
Cleaned today, plastered again tomorrow
According to residents, the problem has acquired a repetitive character. Some citizen groups and NGOs have been attempting to remove illegal posters and advertisements, but their efforts are frequently undermined when new material is pasted over the cleaned surfaces.
“Some groups and NGOs are working to check defacement of public property, but as soon as the old posters are removed, agencies and individuals paste new advertisements at the same places,” Gurvinder Singh said.
The result, residents say, is a city increasingly burdened with visual pollution.
Political posters and banners, in particular, have become a source of irritation, with residents alleging that supporters of political parties often use walls, poles and other public spaces for publicity. Private institutions and commercial agencies are also accused of contributing to the problem.
Heritage city, defaced walls
Residents are particularly concerned that the indiscriminate pasting of posters is now affecting areas and structures that form part of Bathinda’s historical identity.
They argue that a city known for its heritage cannot simultaneously allow its public spaces and historic structures to be covered with advertisements and political publicity material.
Residents demand crackdown
Residents have called upon the district administration and civic authorities to launch regular citywide enforcement drives, identify repeat offenders and initiate proceedings under the law instead of merely removing posters after the damage has been done.
They have also suggested involving schools, colleges, banks, media organisations, NGOs and private institutions in sustained awareness campaigns to discourage people from using public property as free advertising space.
For residents, the issue is no longer simply about dirty walls. It is about whether laws meant to protect the city’s public spaces are actually being enforced.
With illegal posters and banners continuing to return despite periodic cleaning, Bathinda’s residents are now demanding a simple answer: who will stop those repeatedly defacing the city—and when will the law finally be enforced?