Lawrence Bishnoi’s name etched on Tipu Sultan’s summer palace wall sparks outrage

Bengaluru: Tourists and locals have condemned an act of vandalism at Tipu Sultan’s historic summer palace atop Nandi Hills near Bengaluru, where the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was found etched in bold letters on the monument’s front wall.

The palace, a protected site under the Department of Archaeology, was once used by Tipu Sultan as a summer retreat during his reign over the Kingdom of Mysore. Despite the presence of CCTV cameras, miscreants reportedly used a stone or hard object to deface the structure.

Visitors expressed shock and demanded swift action. “We had come to visit Nandi Hills and see Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, but we were shocked to see the name of a gangster like Lawrence Bishnoi here,” said Mohammad Abdulla, who also called for clearer signage and restricted access to the terrace. Another tourist, Mahantesh, urged authorities to preserve the monument and take strict action against those responsible.

Lawrence Bishnoi, a Punjab-based gangster, leads a transnational crime syndicate linked to murder, extortion, and drug trafficking. He is accused of operating his network from jail, with associates active in India and abroad. In September 2025, Canada designated the Bishnoi gang a terrorist entity, citing its role in high-profile killings and threats to diaspora communities.

The incident has raised concerns about security and preservation at heritage sites, prompting calls for tighter monitoring and enforcement.

Tipu Sultan (1751–1799), known as the ‘Tiger of Mysore’, was a prominent 18th-century ruler celebrated for his military resistance against British colonial forces and his progressive administrative reforms.

(Inputs from IANS)