Gandhi statue inaugurated by Scott Morrison reported missing in Melbourne

By A Representative

The statue of Mahatma Gandhi located at the Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust in Rowville has been reported missing for the past several days, South Asia Times reports from Melbourne.

The statue was inaugurated on 12 November 2021 by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and was gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, as part of cultural outreach initiatives.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the statue had earlier been vandalised within 24 hours of its inauguration by unidentified persons, prompting concerns within the local Indian community. The latest development regarding its disappearance has led to the matter being reported to the police.

Police authorities have been informed, and an investigation is understood to be underway. The police media unit has been contacted by South Asia Times for further details, and a response is awaited.

Members of the community have expressed concern over the incident, noting that statues and memorials associated with Mahatma Gandhi in several countries have, in recent years, been subjected to acts of vandalism, often triggering diplomatic and community-level responses.

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