Miscreants Vandalised Gandhi’s Statue in the U.S., Indian Officials Register a Case

Miscreants Vandalised Gandhi' Statue in the U.S., Indian Officials Register a Case
Gandhi's statue vandalised in the United States.
Miscreants Vandalised Gandhi' Statue in the U.S., Indian Officials Register a Case
Gandhi’s statue vandalised in the United States.

Protest and demonstration have been continuing in the United States following the custodial death of African American George Floyd on May 25. T sparked civil unrest in the entire country. The U.S. President had to go underground at the White House bunker for the time being in the wake of George Floyd’s police custody death protest.

Vandalism of Gandhi’s statue

The ongoing agitation across the country has sent the nation into chaos. Some unruly protesters have taken the advantage and vandalised the statue of Mahatma Gandhi outside the Indian embassy. The incident occurred between the night of June 2 or 3 in Washington, D.C. Officials of the Indian embassy without wasting any time have informed the State Department and registered a complaint with the local police. The local law enforcement agencies have taken the matter seriously and probing into the matter.

Increase in protest

Curfew has been imposed in several cities in the U.S. after the incident of looting and violence. However, many people disobeyed curfew orders. Protests in the U.S. have been spreading like wildfire.

Police visit site

A team of officials from Metropolitan Police in consultation with the Diplomatic Security Service and National Park Police went to the site and were busy conducting the inquiries. The police have left no stone unturned to catch the miscreants. Efforts are going on to clean the place.

Several violent incidents in Washington DC

In the capital Washington DC, this week, several incidents of deliberate destruction took place. Protesters burnt historic churches, valuable properties, and they also damaged many historical sites such as national monuments and Lincoln Memorial.

The U.S. Ambassador to India, Ken Juster, condemning the incident said that he is “appalled” by the “awful violence and vandalism” that followed. “So sorry to see the desecration of the Gandhi statue in Washington, DC. Please accept our sincere apologies,”.

U.S. Congress allowed Gandhi statue

The U.S. Congress had approved the Indian government’s request in October 1998 to set up and maintain a memorial to honour the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on the federal land. Only a few statues of foreign leaders have been allowed on federal property in Washington DC.

Vajpayee inaugurated the statue in 2000

The sculpture of Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated by the former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, along with then, U.S. President Bill Clinton on September 16, 2000. The sculpture was the brainchild of Gautam Pal, and it was a gift from the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Almost every city of the United States is facing violence and protests following the death of George Floyd. In the beginning, the protest started against police brutality, and now it has been turning violent across the U.S. U.S. President Donald Trump warned to deploy the military if protesters will not recede.