This is a file photo of a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Washington DC in December 2019
The U.S. this week condemned the vandalism of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC.
“No statue or memorial should be desecrated and certainly not one like that of Gandhi who really fought for the values that America represents of peace, justice, and freedom,” said White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
“It is appalling that it has happened more than once and we believe the reputation of Mahatma Gandhi should be respected, especially here in America’s capital.”
The incident took place last Saturday when Khalistani separatists interrupted a protest in support of Indian farmers upset at new farm laws in India, reported the American Bazaar.
According to reports, the separatists pasted a poster over the statue and later hung a dummy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a rope around Gandhi’s neck.
NDTV reports the Indian embassy lodged a protest with US law enforcement agencies and the State Department about the matter.
Organizers of the anti-farm law protest fear new laws will corporatize farming and make it more difficult for family farmers to get a fair price for their crops. They did not seem too upset about the actions of the Khalistani separatists.
“Every person has a right for self-determination… It doesn’t matter that you are supporting the farmers with whatever two cents you have,” said one of the anti-farm law organizers to Times Now News.
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