Gandhi Statue Stolen in Australia: 426-kg Bronze Statue Cut from Base with Angle Grinder

Image Source: Internet

A brazen crime has shaken the Indian community in Australia. The 426-kg bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, located at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, was stolen in the early hours of January 12. According to reports, the thieves used an angle grinder to cut the statue from its base, leaving behind only the feet. The statue, a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), was inaugurated by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2021. This is not the first time the statue has been targeted by vandals. In November 2021, just a day after its inauguration, the statue was vandalised, sparking widespread condemnation. The incident occurred during a period of heightened tensions related to Khalistan extremist activity, which had previously targeted Indian diplomatic missions, community spaces, and symbols in multiple Western countries. The Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the incident, urging Australian authorities to recover the statue and hold those responsible accountable. The Victoria Police Knox Crime Investigation Unit has launched a probe into the theft, and scrap metal dealers have been warned to remain vigilant for anyone attempting to sell the bronze statue. India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “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.” The MEA has raised the matter with Australian authorities, urging them to take immediate action to recover the missing statue and hold the culprits accountable.