A video showing Padma Shri awardee Darshanam Mogilaiah, also referred to as Kinnera Mogilaiah, removing posters from a pillar in Hyderabad has currently become the centre of the discussion on social media. Mogilaiah is seen using whitener and cleaning it up, highlighting how columns are being defaced by posters and stickers.
Who Is Kinnera Mogilaiah?
Mogilaiah is a well-known folk singer from Telangana, specializing in kinnera, a rare tribal string instrument with a legacy of over a thousand years. He received Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards for his life-long contributions to preserve and promote this folk music tradition in 2022.
Why Are People Asking GHMC to Act?
The video has caused widespread outrage on social media, with several citizens demanding action from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation over illegal poster paste vandalism. This is particularly because several social media users have tagged the GHMC in their tweets demanding fines for the illegal activity.
Is Civic Enforcement in Hyderabad Falling Short?
People questioned the effectiveness of the current efforts to enforce the ordinance and suggested that the deployment of only one officer is not enough. The people urged for strict monitoring to prevent advertisements and posters from being placed on pillars and other structures.
What Does This Incident Say About Public Attitudes?
People said that It’s disheartening to see a much-loved icon of one’s culture, who one looks to for inspiration, out there picking up the trash instead of promoting change and inspiring the public to be more considerate of the world around them. They also described the impact of this lack of consideration as indicative of a ‘learned helplessness’ amongst the people of a society
Why This Video Has Touched So Many Hearts
Generally, the locals felt distressed by the incident, especially because it showed how avoidable damage to public property is now accepted as the norm. Seeing a holder of the Padma Shri award doing something so outrageous has reignited concerns about who is accountable, especially for such behavior.
Padma Shri awardee Mogilaiah was seen cleaning a Hyderabad Metro pillar after posters were pasted over his portrait.
A reminder : stop defacing the city. Keep Hyderabad clean. pic.twitter.com/ljTZT7qaz7
— Naveena (@TheNaveena) December 17, 2025
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