The Victorian Opposition has condemned the theft of the Mahatma Gandhi statue from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, describing the incident as a distressing act that has unsettled the local Indian-Australian community.
The statue was stolen in the early hours of Monday, 12 January, with police saying it was taken from a charity site on Kingsley Close around 12.50am. Knox Crime Investigation Unit is investigating, with officers told the offenders used an angle grinder to cut the statue. Police have warned scrap metal dealers to be alert to suspicious attempts to sell the statue and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland said the incident struck at the heart of community safety and respect, and urged anyone with information to assist police.
“Our multicultural communities should feel safe and respected in every suburb of this state. I stand with Victoria’s Indian community at this distressing time and urge anyone with information to assist Victoria Police in bringing those responsible to justice. The perpetrators must be held to account,” Mr Mulholland said.
Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland said the incident struck at the heart of community safety and respect, and urged anyone with information to assist police
He linked the incident to broader concerns about crime across the state, saying, “Criminal offending is at an all-time high under Labor and all Victorians, including our multicultural communities, are paying the price.”
Mr Mulholland said the theft had unsettled families and community leaders, and stressed the importance of protecting shared cultural spaces. “Crimes like this are an attack on all Victorians who value respect, inclusion and the strength of our diverse society,” he said.
“The Liberals and Nationals express our sadness at this act of cultural vandalism and offer our support to the vibrant Indian-Australian community.”
I know firsthand how much the Indian community contribute to our local area, and this attack on their culture and values has no place in Rowville: Liberal candidate for Rowville Max Williams
Local MP Kim Wells also condemned the incident, describing it as deeply upsetting for residents in the area.
“I strongly condemn the theft and vandalism of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Rowville. This act is deeply distressing for our local Indian-Australian community and for all residents who value respect, peace and multicultural harmony,” Mr Wells said.
Liberal candidate for Rowville Max Williams echoed those concerns, pointing to the contribution of the Indian community to the local area.
Member for Rowville Kim Wells condemned the incident, describing it as deeply upsetting for residents in the area
“I know firsthand how much the Indian community contribute to our local area, and this attack on their culture and values has no place in Rowville,” Mr Williams said.
He also raised crime figures in the Knox area, saying, “Crime is up almost seven percent in Knox over the past year thanks to Labor’s inability to tackle the crisis.”
The statue, which was gifted by India’s Indian Council for Cultural Relations and inaugurated in 2021, has been a focal point for the Rowville community. Victoria Police are continuing their investigation into the theft and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
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