'Despicable Act': India Strongly Condemns Vandalisation Of Mahatma Gandhi Statue In California, Raises Issue With US

India on Saturday (30 January) strongly condemned the "malicious and despicable act" of vandalisation of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in United States' California and sought "appropriate action" against those responsible for the act.

On Thursday (28 January), the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Central Park in the City of Davis, California was vandalised by unknown persons.

The statue was a gift to the City of Davis by the government of India in 2016, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

"The Government of India strongly condemns this malicious and despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace and justice," the MEA said.

The Embassy of India in Washington DC has taken up the matter with the US Department of State for a thorough investigation into the incident and appropriate action against those responsible for this despicable act. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has separately taken up the matter with the City of Davis and local law enforcement authorities, which have initiated the investigations, the ministry said.

The Mayor of Davis deeply regretted the incident and informed that they have initiated an investigation, it said. Meanwhile, local Indian community organisations have condemned the act of vandalism.

The ministry said that the US State Department had conveyed that this act of vandalism is unacceptable and expressed the hope that perpetrators will be brought to justice as quickly as possible.