Gandhi statue hacked in California, India registers strong protest

India has expressed outrage over the desecration of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the at the Central Park in the City of Davis in California, US.

The 6-foot-3, 650-pound bronze statue, which was gifted to the City of Davis by the Government of India in 2016, was vandalised on January 28.

Reacting to the incident, the External Affairs Ministry said it strongly condemned this "malicious and despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace and justice".

In a statement, the MEA said, "The Embassy of India in Washington D.C. has taken up the matter with the US Department of State for a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those responsible for this despicable act." 

The 6-foot-3, 650-pound bronze statue, which was gifted to the City of Davis by the Government of India in 2016, was vandalised on January 28.

Reacting to the incident, the External Affairs Ministry said it strongly condemned this "malicious and despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace and justice".

In a statement, the MEA said, "The Embassy of India in Washington D.C. has taken up the matter with the US Department of State for a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those responsible for this despicable act." 

"The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has separately taken up the matter with the City of Davis and local law enforcement authorities, which have initiated the investigations. The Mayor of Davis deeply regretted the incident and informed that they have initiated an investigation. Local Indian community organisations have condemned the act of vandalism."

Local law enforcement is still unclear about the motive behind the desecration. There is also no surveillance video of the incident.

To recall, the installation of the statue in 2016 had seen protests by some Sikh groups and activists who portrayed the Father of the Nation in a bad light.

"The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has separately taken up the matter with the City of Davis and local law enforcement authorities, which have initiated the investigations. The Mayor of Davis deeply regretted the incident and informed that they have initiated an investigation. Local Indian community organisations have condemned the act of vandalism."

Local law enforcement is still unclear about the motive behind the desecration. There is also no surveillance video of the incident.

To recall, the installation of the statue in 2016 had seen protests by some Sikh groups and activists who portrayed the Father of the Nation in a bad light.