The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has condemned the vandalization of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Union Square Park in Manhattan borough of New York City and sought arrest and punishment of the culprits.

“Mahatma Gandhi is the Father of the Nation in India and an apostle of peace and vandalizing the statue is not acceptable and the culprit must be apprehended and punished,” said GOPIO Manhattan President Shivender Sofat.

Mahatma Gandhi's statue, erected at the Union Square Park in the mid-1980s, was one of the first such statues in the USA by the Indian American community. The USA has the highest number of Gandhi statues outside India.

“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,” said Dr. Thomas Abraham, Chairman of the GOPIO International.

GOPIO has written a letter to Mayor Eric Adams, an African American, to take immediate action against those people responsible for this despicable act.