‘ZOGAM’ graffiti sparks outrage in Bengaluru

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Aug 22 : Bengaluru police have launched an inquiry after graffitis bearing the word “ZOGAM” appeared on several walls and overbridge pillars across Bengaluru, triggering outrage on social media, according to The Watchpoint Journal, a Facebook page having over 20K followers.
Photos of the graffiti have gone viral on social media.
The graffiti, painted in bold letters, was spotted at multiple locations, including Agara Junction, PWD Quarters, 1st Sector in HSR Layout, and stretches along Service Road near Agara Village in Bellandur.
The post said that the photos of the markings were quickly uploaded on social media, drawing the attention of residents and political observers.
"The graffiti in Bengaluru underscores how these contested identities are no longer confined to Manipur’s borders but are now manifesting in urban spaces hundreds of miles away—drawing local authorities into conflicts they scarcely anticipated," it said.
It also said that on X (formerly Twitter), numerous Meitei users tagged the Bengaluru police, describing the graffiti as evidence of a separatist agenda. Complaints poured in, deman- ding accountability and the removal of the writings.
Several of the online complaints alleged that Zogam represents a separatist movement for the Zo people across parts of India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. Some further claimed that the movement is linked to militancy and receives backing from international groups and even foreign intelligence agencies— accu- sations that remain unverified.
"The HSR Layout Police Station issued a statement on X acknowledging the incident, “In this regard, an enquiry has already been conducted, and appropriate action will be taken against the concerned persons.
No details have yet been released on who was responsible for the graffiti or whether any arrests have been made," the post read.
For Meitei groups, terms like Zogam are often seen as separatist slogans challenging Manipur’s territorial integrity. Meanwhile, Ukhrul Times reported that on August 21, Amith Sagar L, a user on X, thanked the HSR Layout Police Station and the Bruhat Bengaluru Maha-nagara Palike (BBMP) for their intervention in removing controversial graffiti ‘Zogam’ from city walls and flyover pillars. “I humbly thank @hsrlayoutps and @BBMPofficial for their timely response in resolving this issue. The painted places have been whitewashed.”
Earlier, on May 7, 2025, the same account had taken a firm stance against the graffiti, urging citizens to reject what he described as a separatist agenda.
“As citizens of Bengaluru we need to reject such movements. Zogam movement is an anti-National movement aimed to break India. Such spray paintings near Iblur Defense Range are dangerous. The 0.5 war that needs to be fought by citizens has to be taken up by us,” his post read.