On 12 Nov 2021, on a wet and wild afternoon, Hon Scott Morrison unveiled a live size statue of Mahatma Gandhi at AICCT premises in Rowville.
The news was widely circulated amongst the media including social media across the world. Between yesterday’s inauguration and this evening, someone has attempted to decapitate the Mahatma Gandhi Statue at the Australian Indian Community Centre.
Police have now been informed. It truly saddens us that someone would vandalise this stature within 24 hours of its unveiling.
The aim of the stature was to celebrate India’s history, its 75th year of India’s Independence and highlight the richness of culture across the country.
It’s disappointing to see this level of disrespect of India’s history displayed towards the community in the most multicultural state in Australia.
Whilst Mahatma Gandhi may not be a figurehead in the wider Australian community, his history is well known among all Indians. We are very happy that the statue is intact but the damage has been done.