Mahatma Gandhi Statue Stolen from Australian Indian Community Centre in Melbourne's Rowville – India Condemns Theft, Police Probe Ongoing
Published: February 3, 2026 | NRIGlobe.com – Trusted News for the Global Indian Diaspora
A shocking theft has shaken the Indian-Australian community in Melbourne: a 426-kilogram bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was vandalized and stolen from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, Victoria. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of January 12, 2026, has drawn strong condemnation from India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and renewed calls for enhanced protection of cultural symbols abroad.
According to Victoria Police, three unidentified masked offenders used an angle grinder (power tool) to cut the statue from its base around 12:50 a.m. local time, leaving only the feet attached to the foundation. The thieves then loaded the main portion into a white van and fled the scene at the charity premises on Kingsley Close, Rowville—an eastern suburb of Melbourne. Police are treating the case as a targeted theft, likely motivated by scrap metal value given the bronze material, and have appealed to the public for tips while alerting scrap metal dealers across Victoria to watch for suspicious sales.
The statue, a gift from India's Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi, was unveiled in 2021 by then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. It stood as a powerful symbol of peace, non-violence, and the shared values between India and Australia for the local Indian diaspora. Community members have expressed deep distress, with the theft reviving painful memories of a prior vandalism attempt shortly after its installation.
India's MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a strong statement in response to media queries: "We strongly condemn the vandalisation 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 the Australian authorities and urged them to take immediate action for the recovery of the statue and to bring the perpetrators to justice."
Local Indian-Australian leaders and organizations have echoed the call for swift recovery, better security for cultural landmarks, and greater vigilance to safeguard multicultural heritage in Australia. The incident has sparked wider discussions within the diaspora about the safety of Indian cultural installations overseas amid rising concerns over targeted crimes.
Key Details of the Theft and Investigation
- Date & Time: Early hours of January 12, 2026, approx. 12:50 a.m.
- Location: Australian Indian Community Centre, Kingsley Close, Rowville, Victoria (Melbourne suburb).
- Method: Three masked offenders used power tools (angle grinder) to sever the statue from its base; transported in a white van.
- Statue Specs: 426 kg bronze, gifted by ICCR, unveiled by Scott Morrison in 2021.
- Investigation: Led by Victoria Police Knox Crime Investigation Unit; ongoing appeals for public assistance, CCTV footage, or witness information.
- Motive Suspected: Likely scrap metal theft; police warning dealers nationwide.
NRIGlobe.com stands with the Indian-Australian community during this distressing time. The theft of such an iconic symbol of peace underscores the need for stronger protections for diaspora cultural assets worldwide.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Victoria Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Our thoughts are with the Rowville community and all who hold Mahatma Gandhi's legacy dear. Share your views or any relevant insights in the comments below.
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