**Statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London Vandalised Ahead of Gandhi Jayanti**
A statue of Mahatma Gandhi located at Tavistock Square in London was vandalised on Monday, September 30, just days before the annual Gandhi Jayanti commemorations scheduled for October 2.
The High Commission of India in London has strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a “shameful act” and an affront to the legacy of non-violence. The plinth of the bronze statue, which depicts the Father of the Nation in a seated meditative pose, was found defaced with anti-India graffiti.
In a statement shared on X, the Indian commission said it had reported the matter to local authorities, with officials already on site coordinating restoration efforts. The statement read:
*“The High Commission of India in London is deeply saddened and strongly condemns the shameful act of vandalism of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London. This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of non-violence, three days before the International Day of Non-Violence, and on the legacy of the Mahatma.*
*We have taken this up strongly with local authorities for immediate action, and our team is already on site, coordinating with authorities to restore the statue to its original dignity.”*
The Metropolitan Police and Camden Council have confirmed they are investigating the reports of vandalism.
### About the Statue
The statue was sculpted by artist Fredda Brilliant with support from the India League and was unveiled in 1968 as a tribute to Gandhi’s time as a law student at University College London. The plinth bears the inscription: “Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948”.
Every year on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti is observed at the site with floral tributes and the singing of Gandhi’s favourite bhajans. The United Nations has also designated this day as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Over time, Tavistock Square has become known as one of London’s “peace parks”, featuring various memorials such as a cherry tree planted for the victims of Hiroshima, a field maple planted in 1986 to mark the UN International Year of Peace, and a granite monument unveiled in 1995 to honour conscientious objectors.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/mahatma-gandhi-statue-defaced-with-anti-india-graffiti-in-london-india-condemns-shameful-act
