Mahatma Gandhi Statue in London Vandalized Days Before Global Peace Day
The iconic bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London's Tavistock Square has been desecrated in a shameful act of vandalism, prompting a strong condemnation from the High Commission of India. The incident is made all the more egregious by its timing, occurring just three days before the world is set to observe the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2, which marks Gandhi's birthday.
An Attack on an Idea
The plinth of the statue, which depicts the Father of the Nation in a seated, meditative pose, was discovered defaced with disturbing graffiti. The Indian High Commission in London immediately reported the incident to local authorities and issued a powerful statement denouncing the act not merely as vandalism, but as a symbolic assault on the very principles Gandhi championed.
"This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of non-violence... and on the legacy of the Mahatma," the High Commission stated. Officials from the mission were promptly dispatched to the site to coordinate with local authorities for the monument's restoration, working to return the statue to its "original dignity" ahead of the planned commemorative events.
A Site of Historical and Cultural Significance
Tavistock Square holds particular significance in the story of Mahatma Gandhi. The statue was unveiled in 1968 and its location was chosen as a nod to his time as a law student at the nearby University College London. Every year on Gandhi Jayanti, the site becomes a focal point for the Indian diaspora and peace advocates, who gather to pay floral tributes and commemorate his life and message.
The desecration has cast a somber shadow over these upcoming celebrations. The Metropolitan Police and the local Camden Council have confirmed they are looking into the reports of vandalism and an investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators.
Image source: Deccan Herald
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