Britain’s Metropolitan Police announced that an investigation has commenced into the criminal damage inflicted upon Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at Tavistock Square in London. Authorities are treating the incident, which involved the defacement of the statue’s plinth with disturbing graffiti, as “racially aggravated.”
Police were called to the iconic monument on a Sunday evening after reports surfaced of the vandalism. The High Commission of India in London swiftly condemned the act as a “violent attack” on the revered leader’s legacy.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police confirmed the ongoing inquiry: “We have begun an investigation into reports of criminal damage to a Mahatma Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square Gardens in Camden. The incident is being treated as racially aggravated and enquiries are ongoing. No arrests have been made at this time.” The police appealed to the public for any information that could assist their investigation.
Meanwhile, the local Camden Council authorities confirmed that their cleaning teams were dispatched to the site to assess the damage and are actively engaged in restoration work.
The Indian High Commission in the U.K. reiterated its strong condemnation, calling the vandalism a “shameful act.” Their social media statement highlighted the gravity of the incident: “This is not just vandalism, but a violent attack on the idea of non-violence, three days before the International Day of Non-Violence, and on the legacy of the Mahatma. We have taken this up strongly with local authorities for immediate action, and our team is already on site, coordinating with authorities to restore the statue to its original dignity.”
Annually on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti is observed as the International Day of Non-Violence by the United Nations. The monument in London typically hosts commemorative ceremonies, featuring floral tributes and Gandhi’s favorite bhajans.
The bronze sculpture, unveiled in 1968, was created with the support of the India League. It stands in Tavistock Square as a nod to Mahatma Gandhi’s formative years as a law student at the nearby University College London. The statue depicts Gandhi in a classic meditative pose, with an inscription on its plinth reading: “Mahatma Gandhi, 1869-1948.”
Over the years, Tavistock Square Gardens has evolved into a recognized peace park, offering a tranquil space for reflection. The Gandhi statue holds a prominent position, surrounded by cherry trees that commemorate the victims of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima.
This statue is one of two London memorials where annual Gandhi Jayanti ceremonies take place. The other, a more recently installed bronze statue, is located in Parliament Square, offering views of the Palace of Westminster.