Mahatma Gandhi's statue 'vandalised' by Khalistani extremists in Italy ahead of PM Modi's visit
Mahatma Gandhi's statue 'vandalised' by Khalistani extremists in Italy ahead of PM Modi's visit
India's Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday (June 12) slammed the "vandalisation" of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Italy by pro-Khalistani elements and said that the matter was taken up with the Italian authorities.
The MEA further noted that "a suitable rectification" had taken place.
"We have seen the reports and taken it up with the Italian authorities. We understand that a suitable rectification has already been made. The effort to vandalise the statue, which is, of course, deplorable, has been addressed and the necessary rectification done," Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Wednesday at a special briefing.
A bust of Mahatma Gandhi was on Wednesday (June 12) vandalised by Khalistani extremists just hours after it was inaugurated.
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At the base of the bust, the extremists also wrote controversial slogans that were related to slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot dead in Canada last year.
This comes just a day before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Italy where he will participate in the 50th G7 Summit, which will take place on June 13 and 14.
The visit will mark his first overseas travel after assuming office in his third consecutive term.
Last year, the Khalistani elements had defaced BAPS Shri Swaminarayan temple in Australia's Sydney ahead of PM Modi's visit.
(With inputs from agencies)