India Slams Gandhi Statue Theft Incident In Australia, Demands Swift Action

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday strongly condemned the vandalism and removal of a Mahatma Gandhi statue from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, and urged swift action against those responsible. Responding to a media query, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had raised the matter firmly with Australian authorities.

“We strongly condemn the vandalisation and removal of the Mahatma Gandhi statue located at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, by unidentified people,” he said, adding that New Delhi has sought immediate steps to recover the statue and hold the culprits accountable.

The bronze statue, weighing 426 kg, was reportedly stolen in the early hours of January 12. According to Australia Today, the statue was taken from the charity premises on Kingsley Close, Rowville, around 12.50 am. It was a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and was inaugurated in 2021 by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.