White House on Gandhi statue desecration: 'It is terrible'
Synopsis
Days after Mahatma Gandhi's statue outside the Indian Embassy in Washington was vandalised by Khalistan supporters during a protest against farm laws implemented by India, the Donald Trump administration has finally broken its silence.
Days after Mahatma Gandhi's statue outside the Indian Embassy in Washington was vandalised by Khalistan supporters during a protest against farm laws implemented by India, the Donald Trump administration has finally broken its silence.
Condemning the desecration, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said: "It is terrible. No statue or memorial should be desecrated and certainly not of Gandhi who really fought for the values that America represents of peace, justice, and freedom."
"We believe the reputation of Mahatma Gandhi should be respected, especially here in America's capital. It’s appalling that it has happened more than once," she said.
The Indian Embassy had lodged a strong protest after the statue was desecrated during the protest that was hijacked by Sikh separatists carrying Khalistani flags, anti-India posters and banners.
Condemning the "mischievous act", the Embassy had said that hooligans masquerading as protesters desecrated the statue of a universally respected icon of peace and justice.