London: A statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London was vandalised on Monday, just days before Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2. The High Commission of India strongly condemned the incident, calling it a “shameful act” and a direct affront to Gandhi’s legacy of non-violence.
The bronze statue, depicting Gandhi in a meditative seated pose, was found defaced with anti-India graffiti on its plinth. In a statement posted on X, the Indian High Commission said the matter had been reported to local authorities and restoration efforts were already underway.
“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 commission said.
Both the Metropolitan Police and Camden Council confirmed that they are investigating the reports of vandalism.
The statue, sculpted by Fredda Brilliant with support from the India League, was unveiled in 1968 to honour Gandhi’s time as a law student at University College London. The plinth bears the inscription: “Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948.”
Tavistock Square is regarded as one of London’s prominent peace parks, featuring memorials such as a cherry tree for Hiroshima victims, a field maple planted for the UN International Year of Peace in 1986, and a granite monument unveiled in 1995 to honour conscientious objectors. Each year on October 2, the site hosts floral tributes and the singing of Gandhi’s favourite bhajans, commemorating his enduring legacy.
