India has strongly condemned the vandalism and removal of a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Melbourne, calling on Australian authorities to act quickly to recover the monument and hold those responsible accountable.

Responding to media queries on behalf of The Australia Today on Tuesday, India’s Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi had raised the matter with Australian authorities following the theft of the bronze statue from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville.

“We strongly condemn the vandalisation and removal of the Mahatma Gandhi statue located at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne by unidentified people,” Mr Jaiswal said.

“We have strongly raised the matter with Australian authorities and urged them to take immediate action to recover the missing statue and hold the culprits accountable.”

The incident was first reported by The Australia Today, which revealed that the statue — a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi — had been stolen, prompting a police investigation and renewed concern within Melbourne’s Indian-Australian community.

The statue was inaugurated on 12 November 2021 by former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and is regarded as a symbol of peace, non-violence and shared democratic values.

Victoria Police confirmed that officers from the Knox Crime Investigation Unit are investigating the alleged theft, which is believed to have occurred in the early hours of Monday, 12 January.

In a statement, police said three unknown offenders allegedly stole the statue from the charity premises on Kingsley Close, Rowville, at about 12.50 am.

“Officers have been told the offenders used an angle grinder to cut the statue,” police said.

Investigators have warned scrap metal dealers to remain alert for anyone attempting to sell a bronze statue and urged the public to report any suspicious activity. Anyone with information, CCTV footage or who witnessed the incident has been asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via its website.

Painful echoes of past vandalism

The theft has revived memories of an earlier attack on the same statue. Within 24 hours of its inauguration in November 2021, the monument was vandalised by unknown individuals, drawing widespread condemnation in both Australia and India.

That incident occurred amid heightened tensions linked to Khalistan-related extremist activity, which has previously targeted Indian diplomatic missions, community spaces and symbols associated with India in several Western countries.

In Australia and overseas, statues of Mahatma Gandhi have been targeted by vandals who view them as symbolic sites, despite Gandhi’s global standing as an icon of non-violence. In some international cases, offenders were caught attempting to cut statues with power tools — a method now bearing similarities to the Rowville theft, though police have not confirmed any motive or ideological link in the current case.

Political condemnation

The theft has drawn condemnation from Victorian opposition figures, who expressed solidarity with the Indian-Australian community and called for those responsible to be brought to justice.

Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland described the incident as deeply distressing.

“Our multicultural communities should feel safe and respected in every suburb of this state,” he said.

“I stand with Victoria’s Indian community at this distressing time and urge anyone with information to assist Victoria Police in bringing those responsible to justice.”

Mr Mulholland said crimes of this nature were an attack on shared values of respect and inclusion, adding that the Liberals and Nationals expressed sadness at what he described as “an act of cultural vandalism”.

Local MP for Rowville Kim Wells said the theft was upsetting for both the Indian-Australian community and the wider local population.

“This act is deeply distressing for our local Indian-Australian community and for all residents who value respect, peace and multicultural harmony,” he said.

Liberal candidate for Rowville Max Williams also condemned the incident, saying it struck at the heart of community values and had no place in the suburb.

Community concerns

Leaders within the Indian-Australian community have voiced alarm that a statue representing peace and non-violence has once again been targeted, raising concerns about cultural safety and the protection of community landmarks.

While Victoria Police have not attributed the theft to any group or ideology, the statue’s history and the manner of its removal have intensified calls for a thorough investigation and stronger safeguards for culturally significant monuments.

Police say inquiries remain ongoing and that all lines of investigation are being explored, including whether the statue was stolen for scrap metal or as a deliberate act of vandalism or intimidation.

For now, authorities say their priority is the recovery of the statue and identifying those responsible, as the incident renews debate over the vulnerability of cultural symbols in an increasingly polarised global climate.