Tourists Deface Humayun’s Tomb, Public Anger Rises

A video showing a group of tourists scratching their names onto the walls of Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi has gone viral, sparking widespread anger among citizens and heritage lovers. The act, captured by another visitor, has once again triggered a debate about how India treats its monuments and why vandalism at historic sites remains so common.

Humayun’s Tomb, built in the 16th century, is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has long been admired not just by domestic tourists but also by international visitors who consider it a precursor to the Taj Mahal. Yet, despite its importance, the tomb has been disfigured repeatedly over the years by scratches, graffiti, and casual neglect. The fresh video only added to the growing list of concerns about how seriously locals take heritage preservation.

The reaction on social media was sharp and immediate. Many called it “shameful” and “a crime against history.” Users compared India’s lax approach with countries like Italy and Greece, where even minor defacement of a monument can lead to heavy fines or jail time. Some pointed out that while citizens often express outrage when foreigners disrespect Indian culture, the majority of damage is actually done by Indians themselves. Others felt that visitors who cannot respect history should not be allowed inside such monuments at all.

Zero Civic Sense!

Visitors climbing on each other just to scratch their worthless names on walls of Humayun’s Tomb – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 🤡🤦‍♂️pic.twitter.com/bu060ylBxw— Gems (@gemsofbabus_) September 20, 2025

Why does this problem keep happening? Experts believe the issue runs deeper than just weak rules. On paper, the law is strict—vandalising a protected monument is a punishable offence under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. The penalties include fines and possible imprisonment. The reality, however, is that enforcement is patchy. Offenders are rarely punished in a way that could set an example. At the same time, monuments like Humayun’s Tomb receive thousands of visitors every day, making it almost impossible for guards to monitor every action in every corner. Add to that a widespread lack of awareness about how fragile centuries-old structures really are, and the problem becomes clear.

This isn’t the first time such an incident has drawn attention. Monuments across India, from the Qutub Minar to Fatehpur Sikri, show etched names, broken portions, and marks left by careless visitors. The Archaeological Survey of India spends large amounts of money on conservation every year, but much of the effort has to be re-done because visitors undo years of restoration within minutes. Officials stress that while the government has a duty to protect monuments, citizens also share responsibility. If people cannot respect shared cultural spaces, legal and conservation measures have limited impact.

The public anger following the tomb incident also triggered fresh calls for stronger steps. Many suggested higher penalties and more visible punishment for offenders so that others think twice before damaging heritage property. Some highlighted the need for advanced technology like more CCTV cameras inside monuments, along with digital tracking of visitors through linked IDs. Others felt that the solution should start earlier—through schools and education. If children grow up understanding that a scratch on a stone can last forever and destroy part of history, they may be less likely to act carelessly later in life.

But there’s also a need to see the issue with some balance. Millions of visitors go to these monuments every year and most of them do not cause any damage. The defacement we see is the result of a relatively small but careless group. Yet, even a handful of scratches are enough to scar stonework that has survived hundreds of years. The real challenge, experts say, is to build a sense of civic duty and pride so that even the few who think it is harmless to scratch a wall reconsider before acting.

Tourism brings major benefits to India, both economically and culturally. In recent years, millions of domestic and foreign tourists have visited sites like Humayun’s Tomb, the Taj Mahal, and the Red Fort. More visitors mean greater awareness of Indian history, but they also create stress on fragile structures. The question that policymakers, citizens, and heritage workers now face is how to balance tourism with preservation. Simply banning crowds is not possible. Strengthening visitor management, educating travelers, and actively punishing vandals may be the only way forward.

The incident at Humayun’s Tomb, then, is more than just another viral outrage. It is a reminder of a larger problem—our relationship with shared spaces. From littering in public places to scratching symbols onto historic walls, many actions reflect how lightly people take collective property in India. Respect for heritage is not only about monuments but about how society values its history. If we fail to protect the symbols of our past, future generations might only inherit ruins.

As one historian noted after the video drew attention, “The Mughals built monuments to last centuries. But their survival now depends not on their architecture, but on our respect. Once they are gone, they can never be built again.”

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies