Mahatma Gandhi Statue Defacement: US Ambassador Conveys Apologies

The US Ambassador to India Ken Juster conveyed sincere apologies on behalf of the people of the United States on the incident of the desecration of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Washington DC. The news agency ANI had reported that Mahatma Gandhi's statue outside the Indian embassy in Washington DC was vandalised by unruly elements of #BlackLivesMatter protesters. ANI further reported that United States Park police had launched an investigation.

The Department of State of the United States Government also expressed its deep regret over the incident and promised an investigation into it.

There have been countrywide protests in the United States following the death of a forty-six year-old African American, George Floyd in Minneapolis, at the hands of a white policeman earlier last week. Protests erupted across several towns and cities of the United States forcing governments to impose curfew in over 20 cities.

There have been reports of widespread looting and violence as unruly elements slipped into the groups of protesters, torched stores and business establishments. Many shops were vandalized and looted in several cities. Elsewhere, dozens of peaceful marches dotted many cities, in what is being described as a watershed moment in US history.