Just days before Gandhi Jayanti, the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London's Tavistock Square was vandalized. The High Commission of India has strongly condemned the act. The statue, which depicts the Father of the Nation in a seated, meditative pose, was found with graffiti daubed on its plinth.

The Indian High Commission in London expressed deep sadness and strong condemnation of the "shameful act of vandalism" on social media. They described it as a "violent attack on the idea of non-violence" and on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, especially since it occurred three days before the International Day of Non-Violence.

The High Commission has taken immediate action, reporting the incident to local authorities and coordinating with them to restore the statue to its original condition. Officials from the Indian mission are present at the site to oversee the restoration efforts.

Gandhi Jayanti, observed on October 2nd, is also recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence. Every year, the statue in Tavistock Square is commemorated with floral tributes and Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajans.

The vandalism has been widely reported and pictures have circulated on social media, though their authenticity has not been independently verified.