Bhubaneswar: A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been stolen from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, a suburb of Melbourne, triggering concern among the Indian diaspora and authorities.
The statue, which held significant cultural and symbolic value, was gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, and was unveiled on November 12, 2021, by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
According to officials, the theft is believed to have occurred in the early hours of Monday, January 12. The Knox Crime Investigation Unit of Victoria Police has launched a probe and is examining CCTV footage and other evidence to identify those responsible.
Community leaders have described the incident as deeply distressing, noting that the statue represented Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of peace, non-violence, and the strong cultural ties between India and Australia.
Police have appealed to the public for information that could assist in the investigation.
-OdishaAge
