Melbourne’s Gandhi statue stolen; Vic Premier says ‘zero tolerance’ for targeting cultural monuments

Former Australian PM unveiling a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Melbourne's Indian community centre located in Rowville in 2021. Credit: Credits/Source: SBS Hindi

Inaugurated in 2021, a 400 kg Mahatma Gandhi statue was allegedly cut and stolen from the Rowville-based Indian Australian Community Centre on 12 January 2026. Victoria Police said the theft is believed to have been carried out by three unknown people, who reportedly used an angle grinder to remove the statue from its base. The incident has drawn condemnation from the Indian community, as well as from the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and the Indian government.

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Published 4 February 2026 1:59pm

Updated 4 February 2026 3:01pm

By Natasha Kaul

Source: SBS

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Inaugurated in 2021, a 400 kg Mahatma Gandhi statue was allegedly cut and stolen from the Rowville-based Indian Australian Community Centre on 12 January 2026. Victoria Police said the theft is believed to have been carried out by three unknown people, who reportedly used an angle grinder to remove the statue from its base. The incident has drawn condemnation from the Indian community, as well as from the Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and the Indian government.

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