Gandhi statue vandalised in London days before October 2 commemoration

A statue of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in central London was vandalised on Monday, three days before Gandhi Jayanti celebrations are scheduled at the site on October 2.

The plinth of the monument was defaced with derogatory graffiti.

The incident took place at Tavistock Square, where a bronze statue depicts Gandhi in a meditative seated posture.

The United Nations has designated October 2, Gandhi’s birth anniversary, as the International Day of Non-Violence.

In London, the day is marked annually with floral tributes at the Tavistock Square statue.

The High Commission of India in London said it had reported the incident to local authorities and that its officials were at the site and were coordinating with authorities “to restore the statue to its original dignity”.

“The High Commission of India in London is deeply saddened and strongly condemns the shameful act of vandalism of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London,” it said in a statement on social media. “This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of non-violence, three days before the International Day of Non-Violence.”

@HCI_London is deeply saddened and strongly condemns the shameful act of vandalism of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London. This is not just vandalism, but a violent...

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