The High Commission of India has strongly condemned the vandalism of Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Tavistock Square in London on Monday, just days before the annual Gandhi Jayanti celebrations are scheduled to be held at the site on October 2. The plinth of the iconic statue, which depicts the Father of the Nation in a seated meditative pose, was discovered daubed with some disturbing graffiti. The Indian mission said it has reported the desecration to the local authorities, even as its officials are at the site to coordinate the restoration of the monument to its original state. The High Commission of India in London is deeply saddened and strongly condemns the shameful act of vandalism of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Tavistock Square in London, the Indian High Commission in London said in a statement on social media. 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 Mahatm
UK riots: While 'far-right' groups are protesting against 'uncontrolled' immigration, asylum seekers are also holding counter-protests
The statue had been vandalised earlier on August 3 and knocked over, according to the Queens Daily Eagle
A statue of Bhimrao Ambedkar was found damaged on Tuesday morning in Rampur Asli village, leading to protests by locals, police said
US President Donald Trump said he had signed a "very strong" executive order aimed at protecting the country's monuments and statues from vandalism
The incident took place even as Home Ministry has asked states to take strong action against those indulging in vandalism of statues
Political violence is not, of course, the sole responsibility of any one party in India