India has condemned the vandalism of a Mahatma Gandhi statue in London, calling for immediate action and highlighting the incident’s disrespectful nature ahead of Gandhi’s upcoming birth anniversary.
The Indian government has expressed outrage following the defacement of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London, demanding immediate action against the perpetrators. The Indian High Commission labeled the act as “shameful,” describing it as a violent affront to Gandhi’s enduring philosophy of nonviolence.
The statue, located in Tavistock Square, was unveiled in 1968 to commemorate Gandhi’s time as a law student at University College London. The recent vandalism involved graffiti that included the word “Terrorists” painted on the statue’s base, along with references to “Gandhi, Modi and Hindustani [Indians].” Local authorities are treating the incident as “racially aggravated.” As of now, no arrests have been reported in connection with the case.
In response to the vandalism, Camden Council has dispatched teams to clean the statue, while the Metropolitan Police have initiated a criminal damage investigation. The Indian mission has stated that its representatives are on-site, coordinating efforts to restore the monument’s dignity.
The timing of this incident is particularly sensitive, occurring just days before Gandhi’s 156th birth anniversary on October 2, which also coincides with the International Day of Non-Violence. Traditionally, the statue serves as a focal point for tributes on this day, with floral offerings and hymns often placed at its base.
This is not the first time Gandhi’s likeness has been targeted. In 2014, a statue in Leicester was similarly vandalized. In recent years, there have been ongoing debates in parts of the U.K. regarding the removal of Gandhi monuments.
The Indian government is pressing U.K. authorities for a thorough investigation and swift action to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future, underscoring the need for respect toward historical figures and their legacies.
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