India has called for ‘immediate action’ following the vandalism of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London. The bronze statue, located in Tavistock Square and unveiled in 1968, was defaced with graffiti, including the words ‘Terrorists,’ ‘Gandhi,’ ‘Modi,’ and ‘Hindustani [Indians].’ The Indian High Commission condemned the act as not merely vandalism but a ‘violent attack on the idea of non-violence,’ describing it as ‘shameful.’ The Metropolitan Police are investigating the incident as a racially aggravated crime, though no arrests have been made. Cleaning teams from Camden Council were seen power-hosing the statue to remove the graffiti. The incident occurred just days before the 156th anniversary of Gandhi’s birth on October 2, which is also observed as the International Day of Non-Violence. The statue, created by Polish sculptor Fredda Brilliant, depicts Gandhi in robes, seated cross-legged, with an inscription honoring his life. This is not the first time Gandhi’s statue has been targeted in the UK; a similar incident occurred in Leicester in 2014. The Indian mission is working with local authorities to restore the statue’s dignity.