New Delhi: The controversial Mahabharata-inspired painting titled Karam Kshetra (Field of Deeds) has been removed from the lounge of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) at South Block.
The change was confirmed through a recent video message shared by the official X account of the Eastern Command. In the footage, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is seen seated against a wood-panelled backdrop featuring the Indian Army insignia in the exact spot previously occupied by the painting. The video conveyed his best wishes for the 135th Indian Oil Durand Cup football tournament, which the Eastern Command is hosting from July 25.
General Dhiraj Seth assumed charge as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi.
Background of the Painting
The Karam Kshetra artwork was installed in December 2024. It replaced a long-standing oil painting that depicted the historic surrender of the Pakistan Army in Dhaka on December 16, 1971. In that iconic image, Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi is shown signing the Instrument of Surrender, marking the culmination of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the largest military surrender since World War II, involving nearly 93,000 Pakistani troops.
The new painting was created by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jacob of the 28 Madras Regiment. It portrayed modern Indian Army equipment — tanks, infantry combat vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, patrol boats, indigenous Light Combat Helicopters, and Apache attack helicopters — positioned along the banks of Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control. Mythological and civilisational elements were integrated into the composition: a charioted warrior (associated with Lord Krishna and Arjuna from the Mahabharata), a saffron-clad sage identified with Chanakya, and Garuda. Official descriptions at the time presented it as symbolising the Army as a “guardian of Dharma,” fighting to uphold justice and national values, while also reflecting the force’s evolution into a technologically advanced, integrated organisation.
The 2024 Controversy
The replacement of the 1971 surrender painting triggered sharp criticism from sections of the veteran community, serving officers in private discussions, and the public. Critics argued that the historic artwork represented one of the finest hours in Indian military history and had served for decades as a dignified backdrop for photographs with visiting foreign military leaders and dignitaries in the COAS lounge.
The introduction of overt mythological and religious symbolism into the professional office space of the Army Chief was viewed by many as inappropriate for an institution that prides itself on being secular and apolitical. Some veterans and commentators described the move as an attempt to shift focus from a concrete military victory toward civilisational and ideological narratives.
In response, the Army under then-COAS General Upendra Dwivedi relocated the 1971 surrender painting to the Manekshaw Convention Centre in Delhi Cantonment. The Centre, named after Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the architect of the 1971 victory, hosts major tri-service events and was described as a “more befitting place” that would allow greater visibility to a wider audience. General Dwivedi later publicly justified the change, stating that the new painting sought to connect the past, present, and future of the Army.
Reactions to the Latest Removal
The quiet removal of Karam Kshetra has been welcomed by several retired officers. Lieutenant General H.S. Panag (Retd) posted on X: “Hail to the Chief! Indian Army emblem now forms the backdrop. Hope it is the first step towards bringing back the iconic ‘1971 Surrender’ painting!”
Major General K. Khorana (Retd) endorsed the sentiment, writing that religious depictions “must never enter a Chief’s office” and expressing hope that the 1971 painting would be restored to its earlier place of prominence.
As of now, the Indian Army has not issued an official statement explaining the decision to remove the painting. The Army insignia currently occupies the wall space in the lounge where the Chief receives and meets visiting dignitaries.
The episode has once again highlighted the sensitivity surrounding symbols and imagery in the highest offices of the Indian Armed Forces, an institution that has long emphasised professional ethos over political or religious messaging. Whether the iconic 1971 surrender painting will eventually return to the South Block lounge remains to be seen.
