US expresses concern over defacement of Gandhi statute in NY

NEW YORK: The US State Department has expressed concerns over the attacks on statues of Mahatma Gandhi and is asking law enforcement to investigate the incidents, according to a spokesperson. "The Department of State is in regular communication with law enforcement partners and encourages investigation into these incidents," the spokesperson said in an email to IANS.

In the latest incident, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in New York City's Union Square was defaced with black paint on Febryary 4 and it followed an attack on the Independence leader's statue in Washington on India's Republic Day, January 26.

India's Consulate General in New York took up the defacement of the statue in the city with the State Department and local authorities.

New York Commissioner for International Affairs, Edward Mermelstein, called to express concern over the incident, according to the consulate.

The police department has also been alerted by the consulate to the incident and was investigating. An official in New York City Mayor Eric Adam's office told IANS that they were "looking into this".

The State Department spokesperson wrote: "We are aware of the recent defacement of several statues of Gandhi and have shared our concern regarding these incidents with our Indian counterparts.

"The Department recognises the continued importance of Gandhi's message of non-violence, respect, and tolerance."

The Consulate condemned the statue's defacement in a tweet and said that it had taken up the matter "with the local authorities and the State Department for immediate investigation and appropriate action against those responsible for the despicable act".

The Chairman of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International, Thomas Abraham, said" "We Indian-Americans are deeply hurt by the disrespect shown to Gandhiji, especially when we are observing the Black History Month, celebrating the contribution of African-American leaders including the late Rev. Martin Luther King who was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle against the British Empire to achieve freedom for India."

GOPIO Manhattan Chapter President Shivender Sofat said that "the culprit must be apprehended and punished". (IANS)

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