US-Indians protest Mahatma Gandhi statue desecration in California; want vandals punished

Members of Indian-American community in US protested against Khalistani atrocities and vandalism of Gandhi statue in California's Davis on Sunday. Indians from all across rth California came toger to reach City of Davis partake in peaceful protest against atrocious vandalism. 

On Sunday, Indian-Americans affiliated to Indian Association of Sacramento had organized a car rally and peace vigil in city of Davis to express sorrow and protest against vandalism of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. Local leaders and city council members had expressed ir views and condemned act of violence. Before vigil started at park, organizers had a car rally, in which 50-60 cars had participated.

vigil was organized at Central Park in Davis California. It was place where Gandhi’s statue gifted by Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) was unveiled a few years ago. Some local anti-India and anti-Gandhi Sikh Khalistani supporters had tried to interrupt event by shouting anti-Gandhi and anti-India slogans. Despite police being present at venue, miscreants mand to show ir aggression. 

In true Gandhian spirit, however, protesters showed remarkable grace and self-control. One of m, when handed mic, said, "I think it's very important when we have se kinds of differences; that we can talk to one ar" amid jeering from unruly invaders. Ar, a Caucasian man, said "I believe Gandhi as he was to me, in Vietnam war era. He was an inspiration worldwide."

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Mahatma Gandhi Statue Destroyed 

On Saturday, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Central Park of California's Davis was vandalized and desecrated by unkwn miscreants. 6-ft tall, 294 kg bronze statue of Gandhi which stood in Central Park of US city of Davis was severed, broken, and ripped from base, triggering massive outr among Indian-Americans who have demanded that officials investigate it as an act of hate crime.

Ministry of External Affairs said that India strongly condemns malicious and despicable act against a universally respected icon of peace and justice, adding that its embassy in Washington DC has taken up matter with US Dept of State for a thorough investigation and appropriate action.  MEA furr stated that Consulate General of India in San Francisco has separately taken up matter with City of Davis and local law enforcement authorities. 

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