Mahatma Gandhi Statue Stolen in Melbourne’s Rowville

A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi, gifted by India’s Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and a symbol of peace for the local Indian-Australian community, was stolen from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville overnight.

The theft took place in the early hours of Monday. Three unknown offenders used an angle grinder to cut the statue from its concrete base on Kingsley Close before removing it from the site. Victoria Police’s Knox Crime Investigation Unit is leading the active investigation.

The statue was officially unveiled on November 12, 2021, by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison. It had previously been targeted shortly after installation, when an attempt was made to damage it with a power tool, raising concerns at the time about possible targeted vandalism.

Community members have described the theft as deeply distressing, with many expressing sadness and renewed worries about the safety of cultural symbols in Victoria. The Victorian Opposition has condemned the incident, calling it an attack that has unsettled the Indian-Australian community and highlighting the need for stronger protection of multicultural heritage sites.

Police have issued alerts to scrap metal dealers across the region to be vigilant for anyone attempting to sell bronze material matching the statue’s description. The public is urged to contact Crime Stoppers or Victoria Police with any information, including dashcam footage, CCTV recordings, or other leads.

No arrests have been made and the statue has not been recovered. The investigation remains ongoing.