'Karam Kshetra' Painting Replaced by Indian Army Insignia in South Block Lounge
New Delhi: A painting inspired by the Mahabharata and known as Karam Kshetra (Field of Deeds) has been removed from the Chief of the Army Staff's (COAS) lounge in South Block.
The removal was confirmed in a video posted by the Eastern Command's official X account. In the video, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is seen against a wood-panelled backdrop with the Indian Army insignia, exactly where the painting was previously placed. The video also included his well-wishes for the 135th Indian Oil Durand Cup football tournament, which the Eastern Command is hosting starting July 25.
General Dhiraj Seth took over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on June 30, 2026, succeeding General Upendra Dwivedi.
Background of the Painting
The Karam Kshetra painting was installed in December 2024, replacing an oil painting that depicted the surrender of the Pakistan Army in Dhaka on December 16, 1971. This historic image shows Lieutenant General A.A.K. Niazi signing the Instrument of Surrender, marking the end of the Bangladesh Liberation War and representing the largest military surrender since World War II, involving nearly 93,000 Pakistani troops.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Jacob of the 28 Madras Regiment created the new painting. It depicted modern Indian Army equipment such as tanks, infantry combat vehicles, patrol boats, indigenous Light Combat Helicopters, and Apache attack helicopters along the banks of Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control. The painting also incorporated mythological and civilisational elements, featuring a charioted warrior associated with Lord Krishna and Arjuna from the Mahabharata, a sage resembling Chanakya, and Garuda. It was officially described as a representation of the Army as a "guardian of Dharma," highlighting the force's evolution into a technologically advanced, integrated organisation.
The 2024 Controversy
The replacement of the 1971 surrender painting led to criticism from veterans, serving officers in private discussions, and the public. Critics argued that the historic painting represented a significant moment in Indian military history and had served as a dignified backdrop for photographs with visiting foreign military leaders and dignitaries in the COAS lounge for decades.
Many viewed the introduction of mythological and religious symbolism in the Army Chief's professional office space as inappropriate for an institution known for being secular and apolitical. Some veterans and commentators perceived the change as shifting focus from a concrete military victory to 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. This centre, named after Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, the architect of the 1971 victory, hosts significant tri-service events and was considered a "more befitting place" to provide broader visibility. General Dwivedi later justified the change, stating that the new painting aimed to connect the Army's past, present, and future.
Reactions to the Latest Removal
The quiet removal of Karam Kshetra has been welcomed by several retired officers. Lieutenant General H.S. Panag (Retd) expressed approval on X, saying, "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) echoed the sentiment, stating that religious depictions "must never enter a Chief’s office" and hoped the 1971 painting would be restored to its previous prominence.
As of now, the Indian Army has not provided an official explanation for the painting's removal. The Army insignia currently occupies the space in the lounge where the Chief greets and meets visiting dignitaries.
This 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.
