A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London’s Tavistock Square was vandalised just days before his birth anniversary and the International Day of Nonviolence.  The statue’s plinth was defaced with graffiti, and images of the damage surfaced on social media.

In response, the Indian High Commission in London strongly condemned the act, calling it a “violent attack on the idea of nonviolence” and a “shameful act.”  The commission stated that it has already raised the issue with local authorities and is coordinating efforts to restore the monument to its original dignity.

The Gandhi statue in Tavistock Square, crafted by sculptor Fredda Brilliant and unveiled in 1968, has long been a focal point for annual Gandhi Jayanti ceremonies in London.  The High Commission noted the timing of the desecration — just three days before October 2, when tributes are traditionally paid — as especially disturbing.