NEW DELHI, Feb 3: India strongly condemned the vandalisation and theft of a Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, urging Australian authorities to recover it and hold the culprits accountable.
The 426-kg bronze statue, a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and inaugurated by former PM Scott Morrison in 2021, was cut from its base using an angle grinder in the early hours of January 12.
Victoria Police are investigating, reviewing CCTV footage, and warning scrap metal dealers to be cautious.
This is not the first attack on the statue, which was previously vandalised within 24 hours of its inauguration, raising concerns about targeted attacks on Indian cultural symbols amid Khalistan-related extremist activity.
The incident has alarmed the Indian-Australian community, with local leaders condemning it as an affront to multicultural harmony.
Shadow Minister Evan Mulholland described it as “deeply distressing,” emphasizing respect and inclusion for all communities. Local MPs Kim Wells and Max Williams also criticized the act, highlighting the need to protect symbols of peace and non-violence.
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the matter has been raised with Australian authorities.
Investigations are ongoing, with police focusing on recovering the statue and identifying those responsible.
The incident underscores concerns about cultural safety and the protection of heritage symbols in multicultural societies. (ANI)
