Shameful act: Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalised in London’s Tavistock Square, Indian High Commission condemns

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London was vandalised, drawing strong condemnation from the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom.

The incident occurred just days before Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2, which is observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence.

The High Commission described the vandalism as a “shameful act”.

“@HCI_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 post on X.

“This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of nonviolence, three days before the International Day of Non-Violence, and on the legacy of the Mahatma,” the statement added.

The High Commission said it has taken up the matter with local authorities and that its officials are coordinating efforts to restore the statue.

The bronze statue, showing Gandhi in a seated meditative posture, was sculpted by artist Fredda Brilliant and unveiled in 1968.

Tavistock Square also houses a cherry tree planted in memory of the Hiroshima bombing victims, a field maple planted in 1986 to mark the United Nations’ International Year of Peace, and a granite memorial unveiled in 1995 to honour conscientious objectors.