India ‘Strongly Condemns’ Vandalization Of Mahatma Gandhi Statue In Melbourne

Melbourne : Mahatma Gandhi’s bronze statue that was gifted by Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR), New Delhi has been stolen from Australian Indian Community Centre In Rowville, Melbourne. 

As per the Australian Today report, the incident took place at approximately 12.20 am on Monday. Police informed that 3 unknown offenders used an angle grinder to cut this 426 kg bronze statue. Photos viral on social media depict that the offender left behind status feet by cutting from its ankle. 

Victoria Police Knox Crime Investigation Unit are investigating this case and have asked all scrap dealers to cooperate if anyone tries to sell them any kind of bronze statue. They have also warned to report any kind of suspicious activity, if found any. 

These details were revealed via CCTV footage of a nearby building by Santosh Kumar who is a committee member at the Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust. 

As soon as the statue was inaugurated by former Australian PM Scott Morrison on November 12,2025, it got vandalised by unknown individuals within the first 24 hours. 

Randhir Jaiswal, MEA Spokesperson, condemned the act of vandalization and removal of the statue. The Indian government has strongly raised the matter to Australian authorities and have asked them to recover the missing statue and consider stringent action against the culprit.

However, it is not the first time, in July 2025 also the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Boronia was vandalised through racist graffiti. The same slurs were seen on two nearby Asian run restaurants. 

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