In a shocking act of vandalism that has stirred both local outrage and international concern, a cherished statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Westminster's Parliament Square was discovered defaced early this morning. The bronze memorial to the Indian independence leader was covered in red paint, with the word 'terrorist' boldly scrawled across its base.
Metropolitan Police officers were called to the scene near the Houses of Parliament at approximately 5:30 AM after the vandalism was reported by a passing cyclist. The iconic statue, which has stood as a symbol of peace and non-violent resistance since its installation in 2015, now bears the ugly scars of what authorities are treating as a targeted attack.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Police have launched a full investigation into the incident, with forensic teams carefully examining the scene for evidence. A police cordon remains in place around the statue as cleanup operations prepare to begin. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated: "We are treating this as a deliberate act of criminal damage. The graffiti appears to be politically motivated, and we are investigating all possible angles. Such attacks on public memorials are taken extremely seriously."
Diplomatic Repercussions and Community Reaction
The vandalism has already drawn strong condemnation from community leaders and diplomatic circles. The Indian High Commission has been notified of the incident, with officials expressing deep concern over the defacement of a monument to one of India's most revered historical figures.
Local councillors and community representatives have described the attack as "deeply offensive" and "an insult to the values of peace and tolerance that Gandhi represented." Many have emphasised that Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance has inspired civil rights movements worldwide.
Historical Significance and Previous Incidents
The Parliament Square statue was unveiled in 2015 by then-Chancellor George Osborne and Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. It stands among other notable figures including Winston Churchill and Nelson Mandela, representing Britain's diverse historical connections.
This is not the first time the Gandhi memorial has been targeted. In 2020, the statue was briefly cordoned off after being splattered with white paint during Black Lives Matter protests, though organisers condemned that incident as unrelated to their movement.
The timing of this latest vandalism remains unclear, though the bright red paint suggests it occurred overnight. Maintenance crews from Westminster City Council are standing by to begin restoration work once police complete their initial investigation.
