Vandals defaced Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at Tavistock Square in London on Monday, just days before the Gandhi Jayanti commemorations on October 2.
The High Commission of India condemned the act as shameful, calling it a violation of Gandhi’s ideals of peace and non-violence.
Officials from the Indian mission reported the damage to local authorities and deployed staff to coordinate restoration efforts immediately.
“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,” the statement read.
The mission emphasised that the incident was not just vandalism, but a violent affront to Gandhi’s philosophy, occurring days before the International Day of Non-Violence.
The team is already on site to restore the monument to its original dignity.
Details of the Incident
The plinth of the bronze statue, which depicts Gandhi in a seated meditative posture, was defaced with offensive anti-India graffiti.
Both the Metropolitan Police and Camden Council confirmed that an investigation into the vandalism is underway.
The statue has historically served as the focal point for Gandhi Jayanti tributes in London, where devotees lay flowers and sing Gandhi’s favourite bhajans each October 2.
Unveiled in 1968 by sculptor Fredda Brilliant with the support of the India League, the statue commemorates Gandhi’s student years at University College London.
The plinth bears the inscription: ‘Mahatma Gandhi, 1869–1948’.
Over time, Tavistock Square has evolved into a centre of remembrance and peace, earning recognition as London’s ‘peace park’.
Memorials around the statue include a cherry tree for Hiroshima victims, a field maple commemorating the UN’s International Year of Peace in 1986, and a granite memorial for conscientious objectors unveiled in 1995.
Global and Community Response
The vandalism has not only angered the Indian community but also disturbed the symbolic sanctity of the square as a space dedicated to peace and non-violence.
The incident coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Non-Violence, amplifying its global significance.
Authorities in London are investigating the matter, and efforts are underway to restore the monument before the Gandhi Jayanti commemorations, ensuring that the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi continues to inspire visitors and devotees alike.
The Indian High Commission has pledged to maintain close coordination with local authorities to safeguard the statue and ensure the square continues to serve as a beacon of peace, remembrance, and non-violence.
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