Protesters deface Rajiv Chowk signboard in Delhi

NEW DELHI: A signboard with the name of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was vandalised and garlanded with shoes and slippers in the heart of the national Capital on Wednesday afternoon.

In a video that has gone viral, the signpost outside Rajiv Chowk Metro Station was spray painted, with 'Rajiv' blackened by those who suffered in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. They want it to be renamed after Shahid Bhagat Singh.

A garland made of tattered slippers hanged loosely around the board. The Rajiv Chowk metro station is one of the busiest stations on the metro network, serving Connaught Place in the heart of the capital. Some old women and men with sprays in hand gathered at the spot and started spraying the black paint on the word 'Rajiv' written on the sign boards the act was filmed.

The matter was immediately brought in the notice of Delhi Police for proper action.

"We are registering a case under appropriate sections of the law after the NDMC complaint," said Madhur Verma, DCP New Delhi

The incident occurred less than a day after Youth Akali Dal leaders blackened the statue of Rajiv Gandhi in Ludhiana. Demanding revocation of Bharat Ratna bestowed on the late prime minister, the SAD workers used black spray paint to desecrate Gandhi's bust on Tuesday. Later, the Ludhiana police has arrested Youth Akali Dal leader Gurdip Singh Gosha for vandalising Rajiv Gandhi's statue on Tuesday.

Condemning the vandalism, Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh earlier said, "I have asked the police to identify the guilty and take strict action." He also demanded an apology from Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal for the "obnoxious act.