India’s government has formally condemned the vandalisation and removal of a Mahatma Gandhi statue from Melbourne, raising the matter with Australian authorities as debate over public monuments intensifies across the city.
In a statement issued on 3 February 2026, the Official Spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, said: “We strongly condemn the vandalization and removal of the Mahatma Gandhi statue located at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Melbourne by unidentified people. We have strongly raised the matter with Australian authorities and urged them to take immediate action to recover the missing statue and hold the culprits accountable.”
The statue, installed at the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, has become the focus of anger, grief and disagreement within Melbourne’s Indian community and beyond. While community leaders have called for respect and accountability, reactions online have revealed a sharper divide over history, symbolism and belonging.
On The Indian Sun’s Facebook page, some readers questioned the statue’s place in Australia. Anton John wrote: “Seriously why is there a statue of Ghandi, what has he done for Australia and Australians.” Kumar Manu added a note of sarcasm, saying: “Must have taken to British museum where all the stolen stuff is kept.”
Others responded with sadness and a broader appeal to shared values. Maryanne Novak said: “These behaviours breaks my heart, but unfortunately mental health illness is 6/10 Australians suffering from this and it’s not funny, not a laughing matter, it was next to The Indian Community centre built there, M Gandhi did so much in his life not many can be like them. We all can learn from Nelson Mandela and M. Gandhi. They were many peoples heroes growing up, great teachers of love, humanity and simplicity. Very sad thing to do. I’m not from India but just a simple human being that loves humanity. Not here to promote violence see what children are learning from their parents.”
“The teaching of Gandhi is universal, not Indian. I hope the world today learn Gandhi’s teaching and philosophy of non-violence, peace and human right. But the comment section is full of hatred”
Manju Kalita echoed that sentiment, writing: “The teaching of Gandhi is universal, not Indian. I hope the world today learn Gandhi’s teaching and philosophy of non-violence, peace and human right. But the comment section is full of hatred.”
The debate has also surfaced concerns about perceived double standards in public outrage. Kris Kris, who contacted The Indian Sun by phone and declined to give her full name, questioned why the Gandhi statue had triggered such a strong response. “There has been many statues being destructed across Melbourne by the anti-colonial activists. Indian community has never raised their voice against those. Why only for Gandhi statue?. Our Anglo saxon forefathers contributed to this country by building this great nation. What has Gandhi done and why is the Indian community being touchy about this and not others?. This is what bothers me most. Indian community is only interested in their own welfare and they don’t think about the broader society or nation, Why?” she asked.
“There has been many statues being destructed across Melbourne by the anti-colonial activists. Indian community has never raised their voice against those. Why only for Gandhi statue?”
The incident comes amid a wider crackdown on vandalism of public statues and memorials across Melbourne. According to reporting by The Age, the City of Melbourne has moved to protect statues during high risk periods through added security, fencing and expanded CCTV coverage. The council’s decision follows repeated damage to monuments including the Pioneer Monument at Flagstaff Gardens, which was desecrated ahead of Australia Day 2026 with graffiti reading “death to Australia”, and other memorials targeted over the past two years.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece described the damage as “very sad” and backed stronger protection, saying the principle was simple: “put simply, if you break it, you buy it”, according to The Age. Council staff have estimated repair and replacement costs of about $400,000, placing further strain on the city’s annual maintenance budget for public art and monuments.
India’s intervention has added diplomatic weight to the issue, even as Australian authorities continue investigations. For many in Melbourne’s Indian community, the statue represents ideals of non violence and moral resistance that extend beyond nationality. For others, it has become part of a broader and more uncomfortable debate about whose stories are honoured in public view, and why.
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