Life-sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi vandalised in Australia, a day after unveiling

Melbourne, November 16: Day after Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled a life-sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, some unidentified person vandalised the statue.The statue was gifted by the Indian government.

 

 

 

Giving the information about the incident, Victoria police said an unknown number of offenders used a power tool to decapitate the statue sometime between 5.30 pm on Friday and 5.30 pm on Saturday. The police said that the Knox Crime Investigation Unit detectives were investigating the matter and are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information.

 

Following the incident, Morrison strongly condemned the incident and said, “It is disgraceful and extremely disappointing to see this level of disrespect."

 

 

He said that attacks on cultural monuments would not be tolerated in a country that is the most successful multicultural and immigration nation in the world. “Whoever is responsible for this has shown great disrespect to the Australian Indian community and should be ashamed,” he said.

 

Besides, the Indian community in the city expressed their shock over the incident, terming it as a 'low act.' 'The community is very shocked and sad. I don't (understand) why anyone would do such a low act of vandalism,' said, Surya Prakash Soni, president of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria. He said the Rowville center was the first Indian community center in the State of Victoria and had been established after 30 years of effort.

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