Indian Americans hold community vigil against vandalisation of Gandhi statue

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WASHINGTON:

A bronze statue of Gandhi in the Central Park of the city of Davis, in northern California, was vandalised, broken and ripped from the base by unknown miscreants last week. The city has registered a case and is investigating the incident.

Gloria Partida, the Mayor of the City of Davis, deeply regretted the act of vandalism and said, "Vandalism will never be condoned. Gandhi is our inspiration and we will not allow this. Not on our watch."

The vigil was organised by the Indian Association of Sacramento (IAS), along with other Indian-American and Hindu-American organisations.

A group of radical Khalistani separatists-led "Organisation For Minorities In India" (OFMI) shouted obscene slogans against Gandhi and tried to disrupt the peace vigil.

They demanded that the statue not be restored. Nanak Bhatti of the OFMI, who was part of the protest at the park, said the city of Davis did not deserve the Gandhi statue and asked: "why was the statue put there in the first place?"

Many pro-Khalistan Twitter handles expressed happiness at the statue being vandalised. OFMI leader Friedrich said in a tweet that Gandhi statues are controversial and expressed happiness that "someone finally tore one of them down". Some pro-Khalistan supporters also threatened to bring it down again and deface it worse if it were to be reinstated.

The IAS said it awaits justice and the restoration of the statue at Central Park. (PTI)

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