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

Copy of GOld (1).jpg

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.


Find our podcasts here at SBS Hindi Podcast Collection. You can also tune in to SBS Hindi at 5 pm on SBS South Asian on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the SBS Audio app or stream from our website.


Share

Follow SBS Hindi

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our exclusive in-language podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS Hindi News

Watch it onDemand

Watch now