On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence, the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square in central London, recently vandalised, was fully restored in time for the 156th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
A separate event at Parliament Square also drew a diverse gathering to celebrate and honour his enduring legacy.
Every year, the High Commission of India and India League commemorate Gandhi Jayanti with a special ceremony in Tavistock Square. The ceremony was attended by India’s High Commissioner to the UK HE Vikram Doraiswami, the Mayor of Camden Council, Eddie Hanson and prominent community leaders including Alpesh Patel OBE, President of India League, former MP Virendra Sharma, and CB Patel, Publisher and Editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, and other dignitaries. Floral tributes were laid at the statue, symbolising a shared commitment to Gandhiji’s enduring ideals of truth and non-violence.
The event featured soul-stirring bhajans, performed by students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and a serene prayer for peace and harmony led by Buddhist monks. HE Vikram Doraiswami reflected on the significance of the day, saying, “It is particularly timely that we gather today, not only to mark International Day of Non-Violence and Gandhi Jayanti, but also in light of the recent attack on the statue and its base.”
He highlighted that the statue, which has stood for over 50 years as a symbol of India-UK friendship, now gleams brilliantly, thanks to the prompt restoration by Camden Council and the High Commission. “The restored statue is a powerful reminder that no act of vandalism can harm an idea whose time has come,” Doraiswami said.
The statue, depicting Gandhi in a meditative pose, had been defaced with graffiti just days before the celebrations. Swift action by Camden Council and the High Commission ensured it was cleaned and restored, making it even more striking for the commemorative ceremony.
Commemorating Bapu at Parliament Square
Bapu’s birthday was honoured at Parliament Square, with notable attendees including Lord Krish Rawal, Lord Jeff Rooker, and Lord Kulveer Ranger, Ben Mellor, Director at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and former MP Virendra Sharma. HE Vikram Doraiswami highlighted that it is fitting for the statue to stand at the heart of the UK’s Parliament, symbolising the nation’s democratic journey and reflecting Gandhi’s vision of morality in politics and an inclusive, compassionate society.
The ceremony included a minute of silence in memory of Lord Meghnad Desai, who dedicated his life to promoting Gandhian philosophy and was instrumental to erecting the statue of Gandhiji at the Parliament Square. The programme concluded with floral tributes and wreath-laying at the statue, paying heartfelt respect and reaffirming commitment to the Mahatma’s enduring ideals.
