Authorities in Australia have launched an investigation after a bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was stolen from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville, a suburb of Melbourne. The incident has caused widespread concern among local Indian-origin residents and cultural organisations.

India has officially raised the issue with Australian officials, calling for swift action to locate the stolen statue and bring those responsible to justice. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed strong disapproval of the act, describing it as disrespectful and offensive.

On February 3, 2026, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India condemns the destruction and removal of the statue and has urged Australian authorities to act quickly in recovering it and identifying the offenders.

The statue, which holds cultural and historical value, was originally presented by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). It was unveiled in November 2021 by then Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and has since served as a symbol of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and India-Australia ties.

According to local media outlet The Australia Today, law enforcement officials believe the statue was taken by three unidentified individuals from the community centre’s premises on Kingsley Close in Rowville. Investigations are ongoing as police work to track the suspects and recover the artwork.