• Source:JND
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India has strongly condemned the theft of a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Melbourne, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) formally raising the matter with Australian authorities and seeking swift action to recover the statue and punish those responsible.

The statue, weighing around 420 kg, was stolen from outside the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, a suburb in Melbourne’s southeast, in the early hours of January 12. According to Australian media reports, the bronze statue was cut from its base using an angle grinder, leaving only the feet behind, suggesting a planned and deliberate act rather than vandalism.

In a statement on Tuesday, an MEA spokesperson said India had “strongly taken up the matter with Australian authorities” and urged them to act immediately to recover the statue and ensure accountability. The incident has sparked outrage among members of the Indian diaspora, who view the statue as a symbol of peace, non-violence, and shared democratic values between the two countries.

How The Theft unfolded

Victoria Police said three unidentified individuals were involved in the theft, which occurred at around 12.50 am at the charity premises on Kingsley Close, Rowville. Investigators believe the offenders used tools to sever the statue from its base before removing it from the site. The Knox Crime Investigation Unit has launched a probe, and police have alerted scrap metal dealers to report any suspicious attempts to sell a large bronze statue.

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Cultural And Diplomatic Significance

The Mahatma Gandhi statue was gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and was unveiled on November 12, 2021, by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The installation was intended to reflect the strong people-to-people ties between India and Australia, as well as Gandhi’s enduring legacy of non-violence and civil resistance.

Community leaders have described the theft as deeply hurtful and called for stronger protection of cultural monuments. “This statue represents our shared history and values. Its theft is not just a crime, but an insult to the community,” a local Indian-Australian representative said.

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