Pune, 7th July 2025: In a disturbing incident on Sunday, a man attempted to vandalise the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near the Pune Railway Station. The accused, identified as Suraj Shukla, climbed onto the statue’s platform with a sickle in hand and tried to damage the head of the statue. Alert bystanders quickly intervened and pulled him down, preventing further damage.
The Pune Police promptly took Shukla into custody. He is currently being questioned to determine his motives behind the act. Police officials confirmed that while the attempt was serious, the statue did not suffer major damage thanks to the swift response from the public and authorities.
Following the incident, strong reactions poured in from local political circles, especially the Congress party. Terming the act as an insult to the Father of the Nation, Pune City District Congress announced a protest to condemn the incident and demand stricter action.
The protest is scheduled to be held at 11 am under the leadership of Arvind Shinde, President of the Pune City District Congress Committee. The party has stated that it will continue efforts to safeguard the legacy and memorials of national icons like Mahatma Gandhi.
As the investigation continues, concerns have been raised over the security and maintenance of public statues, especially those of national leaders. The incident has sparked a wider conversation about respect for historical figures and the steps needed to prevent such acts in the future.
