A tourist from Haryana has triggered widespread outrage after a video surfaced showing him defacing an official Border Roads Organisation (BRO) milestone at the high-altitude Fotu La Pass (13,479 ft) in Ladakh. The man, seen smiling for the camera, pasted a sticker reading “Gurjar” over the official signage, sparking calls for strict legal action.
The Incident
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The Act: In the viral video, the man is seen stepping out of a Mahindra Thar SUV and pasting the caste-based sticker on the BRO yellow milestone, which marks the altitude and location details. He then poses proudly for the camera.
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Vehicle Details: The vehicle involved bears the registration number HR 87 H 2071.
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Traffic Violations: Following the online uproar, internet users ran a check on the vehicle’s registration and reportedly found that it already has at least 18 pending traffic challans.
Public Reaction Social media users have condemned the act as “vandalism” and “irresponsible tourism,” pointing out that BRO signs are critical navigational aids in the treacherous terrain.
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Demands for Action: Citizens have tagged the Ladakh Traffic Police and BRO officials, demanding that the tourist be fined and made to clean the signboards as punishment.
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Context: This is not the first such incident; similar cases of tourists from NCR defacing signs in the Himalayas have led to police action in the past.
