India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly condemned the theft and vandalism of a Mahatma Gandhi statue outside the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, urging Australian authorities to act quickly and hold the culprits accountable.
“We strongly condemn the vandalisation and removal of the Mahatma Gandhi statue located at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne, by unidentified people,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in response to media questions. India has “raised the matter strongly with Australian authorities” and called for immediate action to recover the missing statue and punish those responsible.
Our response to media queries regarding Mahatma Gandhi statue in Australia ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/CsmoYb9B1B pic.twitter.com/uL2jyDWPaw
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 3, 2026
The theft has drawn deep concern from Indian and Indian-Australian communities, as well as political leaders in Victoria, highlighting the symbolic importance of the statue as a representation of peace and shared values.
What Happened to the Gandhi Statue?
The 426-kg bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was reportedly stolen in the early hours of January 12, when three unknown offenders cut it from its base using an angle grinder and fled with the figure, leaving only the feet behind. The statue stood outside the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville on Kingsley Close and had faced vandalism in past years.
BREAKING: Bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi stolen in Melbourne’s Rowville suburb.
Thieves used an angle grinder to cut it from its base at the Australian Indian Community Centre overnight on Jan 12, leaving only the feet behind.
Gifted by ICCR & unveiled by ex-PM Scott… pic.twitter.com/RMINWJOY7w
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) February 3, 2026
Victoria Police’s Knox Crime Investigation Unit has launched a formal investigation into the theft, examining CCTV footage and gathering leads. Police have urged scrap metal dealers to be alert for anyone attempting to sell large quantities of bronze or suspicious items that could be linked to the statue, as the sculpture is feared to be broken down for metal resale.
Significance of the Gandhi Statue to the Indian-Australian Community
The statue had deep cultural and symbolic value to the Indian diaspora in Melbourne. It was a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi and was inaugurated by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in 2021 as a symbol of peace, friendship, and shared democratic values between India and Australia.
Local community leaders say the theft has struck at the heart of cultural respect and multifaith harmony in the region. Santosh Kumar, a committee member of the Australian Indian Community Charitable Trust, described the theft as deeply upsetting, noting the involvement of balaclava-clad individuals and a white van, and that the incident was partially captured on CCTV.
Past Vandalism and Community Concerns
The Rowville Gandhi statue had already been attacked in 2021, shortly after its unveiling, when unknown vandals attempted to decapitate it. Its repeated targeting has raised worries about the vulnerability of cultural monuments in multicultural cities and underscored the need for better protection of public and community landmarks.
Community members and leaders have expressed that the repeated attacks go beyond simple property crime and represent an affront to the values that Gandhi stood for — peace, non-violence, and unity.
Political Reactions and Calls for Justice
The theft has drawn reactions from political figures in Victoria. Opposition leaders have condemned the act as distressing, calling it an attack on the fabric of multicultural society. Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland highlighted the emotional impact on the Indian-Australian community, saying such incidents undermine the feeling of safety that diverse communities should enjoy.
Local MP Kim Wells also condemned the theft, describing it as deeply upsetting for both the Indian community and the broader population that values peace and respect.
These responses reflect a broad expectation that Australian authorities will work swiftly to find those responsible and ensure that culturally significant symbols are protected.
Police Investigation and Next Steps
Victoria Police continue to investigate the case, examining leads and reviewing footage to identify the offenders. The police have warned that they are taking all possible lines of investigation seriously, including the possibility that the statue may have been targeted for its metal value or that the act was ideologically motivated.
Authorities have asked the public to come forward with any information, CCTV footage, or suspicious activity that might help bring the perpetrators to justice and recover the statue.
The theft of a Mahatma Gandhi statue in Melbourne — a symbol of peace honoured by many cultures — has reverberated far beyond the local community. It has prompted an official response from the Indian government, raised broader concerns about cultural respect, and highlighted the challenges that multicultural societies face in safeguarding heritage and symbols of shared humanity.
