The 426-kilogram monument, a symbol of diplomatic friendship and peace, was forcibly removed from the Australian Indian Community Centre in Rowville. CCTV footage captured three individuals at approximately 12:50 a.m. cutting through the statue’s base before hauling the heavy bronze figure away.
A Symbolic Loss
The statue held deep cultural and historical significance for the local diaspora and the broader Australian community. It was gifted by the Indian government and unveiled in 2021 by then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. Beyond its physical weight, the monument represented the "strong ties" and shared values between the two nations.
Community leaders have expressed profound shock and dismay over the incident. For many, the theft has reopened old wounds; the statue had previously been targeted by vandals shortly after its initial unveiling years ago.
The Investigation
Victoria Police are currently pursuing multiple lines of inquiry. While the motive remains under investigation, detectives are exploring the possibility that the statue was targeted for its high scrap metal value.
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Police Action: Investigators are canvassing local scrap metal dealers and recycling centers, urging them to report any attempts to sell large quantities of bronze or recognizable fragments of the statue.
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Public Appeal: Authorities have released a call for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the Rowville area around the time of the theft to come forward.
The brazen nature of the crime—targeting a nearly half-ton icon of non-violence—has left the community reeling. As the search for the offenders continues, the theft is being viewed not merely as a property crime, but as a significant blow to a symbol of peace and international unity in Melbourne’s southeast.
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