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Victoria Police are appealing to the public for assistance
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Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area, has CCTV or dashcam footage, or holds any information related to the theft is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit details online via the Crime Stoppers Victoria website
A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi has been stolen from an Indian community centre in Rowville, a suburb of Melbourne, sparking concern and sadness among the Indian diaspora in Australia.
Victoria Police have confirmed that the theft is under investigation by officers from the Knox Crime Investigation Unit. According to police, the incident is believed to have taken place in the early hours of January 12, at around 12.50 am. Authorities suspect that three individuals were involved in the crime.
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The statue was located at charity premises on Kingsley Close, Rowville
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Investigators believe the offenders used an angle grinder to cut and remove the bronze statue before fleeing the scene
Due to the nature of the theft, police have alerted metal scrap dealers across the region and urged them to remain vigilant. Dealers have been asked to immediately report any suspicious attempts to sell bronze materials or parts that may be linked to the stolen statue.
The statue held deep cultural, historical and symbolic value for the Indian community in Australia. It was gifted by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), New Delhi, as a symbol of peace, non-violence and shared democratic values. The statue was officially unveiled on November 12, 2021, by former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, marking an important moment for the Indian-Australian community.
Community leaders have expressed disappointment over the incident, calling it a loss not just of property but of a symbol that represented Mahatma Gandhi’s message of harmony and unity. The theft has also raised concerns about the safety of culturally significant monuments.
Investigations are ongoing.
