Mahatma Gandhi Statue Vandalised in Australia Sparks India Anger and Global Concern

Rowville[Melbourne] February 03: The Mahatma Gandhi statue used to be located in Rowville, Melbourne. But one incident happened and shocked the World and especially India. The statue was vandalised and removed in January 12's early hours. The bronze statue stood outside the Australian Indian Community Centre. It weighed around 426 kilograms and was not easy to move. This raised serious concerns. How did such a heavy statue disappear? CCTV footage showed three unidentified people arriving in a white van & their faces were covered. The Indian community felt hurt and unsafe. Many asked why symbols of peace are targeted again and again. Social media posts showed anger and sadness together.

India Raises Matter Strongly With Australian Authorities

India reacted quickly to the incident. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the vandalism in clear words. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has raised the matter strongly with Australian authorities. He urged immediate steps to recover the statue. He also asked for strict action against those responsible. The message was firm but respectful. Why was such an important symbol not protected? That question echoed online. Diplomats noted that such acts harm people to people ties. India and Australia share friendly relations. Incidents like this test trust and cooperation.

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History of the Statue & Its Cultural Importance

The statue was installed in 2021 and it was a gift. The gift was from the New Delhi's Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison inaugurated the statue which represented Mahatma Gandhi’s values of peace and truth. Gandhi’s legacy is respected worldwide. He led India’s freedom struggle through non violence. For Indian Australians, the statue was more than metal. It was memory. It was pride. Removing it hurt emotions deeply. Community elders said the statue helped teach younger generations about Indian history and values in a foreign land.

Police Investigation and What Is Known So Far

Victoria Police Knox Crime Investigation Unit is handling the case and police confirmed the theft happened around 12.50 am. The statue was taken from charity premises in Kingsley Close. Scrap metal dealers were warned to stay alert. Police asked them to report suspicious activity. Santosh Kumar from the community trust said CCTV footage partially captured the act. He said people wearing balaclavas were seen loading the statue into a van. Many asked a simple question. Was this planned theft or hate crime? Police are yet to confirm motive.

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Political Reactions and Community Voices Grow Louder

Senior opposition leaders in Victoria condemned the act. Evan Mulholland called it deeply distressing. He said such incidents weaken the feeling of safety for multicultural groups. Indian Australians shared their pain online. Some said this was not the first time Gandhi statues were targeted abroad. Others asked why symbols of peace attract violence. The Indian government maintained diplomatic calm but firm words. Community leaders urged unity. They demanded justice, not anger. The statue’s absence has become a loud reminder. Respect for history must be protected, everywhere.