Story perspectives

India Condemns Theft of Gandhi Statue in Australia

2/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Government of India condemned the theft of a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville.
Victoria police are investigating and say three individuals used an angle grinder to remove it.
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, urged Australia to recover the statue and prosecute the culprits.
Vasan Srinivasan, chair of the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, highlighted Gandhi's significance.

History

Historical Context

In 1982, the Indian government successfully retrieved a stolen statue of Mahatma Gandhi from the U.S., facilitated by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations. This event underscores Gandhi's enduring global influence and highlights ongoing issues regarding cultural heritage preservation. The recent theft in Rowville echoes this historical precedent, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to protect significant cultural artifacts.

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Story summary

The Government of India condemned the theft of a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville.
Victoria police are investigating and say three individuals used an angle grinder to remove it.
The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, urged Australia to recover the statue and prosecute the culprits.
Vasan Srinivasan, chair of the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, highlighted Gandhi's significance.

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