�Malicious act against icon of peace�: India condemns vandalisation of Mahatma Gandhi statue in US

30-01-2021

India on Saturday strongly condemned the vandalisation of a Mahatma Gandhi statue in California in the United States, describing it a �malicious act� against the �universally respected icon of peace and justice�. The 6-ft tall, 650-pound (294 kg) bronze statue of Gandhi was broken and ripped from the base by unidentified miscreants in the Central Park of the City of Davis in Northern California on Thursday, triggering widespread outrage among Indian-Americans across the country. Deploring the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the US Department of State has expressed the hope that perpetrators will be brought to justice as quickly as possible. Gifted by the Indian government, the statue was installed in the city of Davis four years ago amid protests from anti-Gandhi and anti-India organisations. �On 28 Jan'21, Mahatma Gandhi statue at Central Park in City of Davis, California was vandalised by unknown persons. Statue was a gift by Government of India in '16. The Government strongly condemns this malicious & despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace & justice,� the MEA said in a statement. The statue is being removed and will be stored in a safe place until it can be evaluated, said Davis City councilman Lucas Frerichs, PTI reported.

India takes up matter with US Department of State
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The ministry said that the Indian Embassy in Washington DC has taken up the matter with the US Department of State for a thorough investigation. �Mayor of Davis deeply regretted the incident and informed that they have initiated an investigation. The US Department of State has conveyed that this act of vandalism is unacceptable,� the statement read. �Consulate General of India in San Francisco has separately taken up the matter with the City of Davis and local law enforcement authorities,� it added. In a similar incident last year, Khalistani-supporters had desecrated a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Washington DC in front of the Indian Embassy.