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New Mahatma Gandhi statue unveiled in NY after original was destroyed
The original Gandhi statue was destroyed last summer
NY Mayor Eric Adams and Jenifer Rajkumar revealed the new statue at Tulsi Mandir / Image - X @NYCMayor
The Tulsi Mandir, a Hindu temple in Queens, New York, inaugurated a new statue of Mahatma Gandhi on January 21 to replace the original that was vandalized and destroyed by unknown individuals last summer.
The new statue was unveiled by State Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and New York Mayor Eric Adams in the presence of the Hindu community.
“Last year, the statue of Gandhi that stood in South Richmond Hill was destroyed. But our solidarity and spirit to rebuild was not. Today, we stood with the community to say in one voice: Hate has no place in our city. We embody the values of justice for which Gandhi gave his life,” Mayor Adams posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Last year, the statue of Gandhi that stood in South Richmond Hill was destroyed. But our solidarity and spirit to rebuild was not.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 21, 2024
Today, we stood with the community to say in one voice: Hate has no place in our city.
We embody the values of justice for which Gandhi gave his… pic.twitter.com/tPUOSzpguj
Indian-American Assemblywoman Rajkumar also shared a video of the unveiling of the statue on the social media platform, calling it a “historic moment” for the Richmond Hill community.
EXCITING! Watch myself and @NYCMayor unveil the new Mahatma Gandhi Statue at Tulsi Mandir at the site of last year’s hateful vandalism. It was a historic moment for our Richmond Hill community as we came together to show that our love will conquer all hate. pic.twitter.com/Vt0m7BaQqW
— Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) January 22, 2024
“A year ago, I led the Richmond Hill community in an international movement for peace after vandals destroyed our Mahatma Gandhi Statue in a hate crime. Today was a historic moment as @NYCMayor and I unveiled a brand new Gandhi statue at the site. Love will always conquer hate,” Rajkumar said.
A year ago, I led the Richmond Hill community in an international movement for peace after vandals destroyed our Mahatma Gandhi Statue in a hate crime. Today was a historic moment as @NYCMayor and I unveiled a brand new Gandhi statue at the site. Love will always conquer hate. pic.twitter.com/5dCoqXGfT2
— Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (@JeniferRajkumar) January 22, 2024
Surveillance footage recorded a suspect striking the Gandhi statue at the Tulsi Mandir with what seemed like a sledgehammer in August 2022. The following morning, the temple's founder reported that the statue had been reduced to rubble, and the word "dog" was spray-painted in front of the temple and along the block.
The statue had suffered damage in previous attacks, including an incident in which it was knocked over, and the hands and nose were broken off.
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