Plans submitted for bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Aberdeen park
Members of Aberdeen’s Hindu community have applied to install a bust of Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi in a local park.
Gandhi is remembered for his leading role in India’s movement for independence from British rule, particularly for his methods of non-violent resistance.
He was assassinated by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse in 1948 in Delhi.
Now, applicants want to install a granite plinth, bronze bust and commemorative plaque in Duthie Park, in the hope it will symbolise peace.
Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 [Getty Images]
The bust would be located in the floral courtyard area of the David Welch Winter Gardens in the park.
It is being gifted by the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh.
The application has been submitted to Aberdeen City Council for consideration, and a decision is expected later this year.
While Gandhi never visited Scotland, other statues marking his legacy are in place in Edinburgh and Ayr.
Gandhi was born in 1869 in India, and later studied law in London.
He moved to South Africa to be a lawyer where he fought against the poor treatment of Indian immigrants, before returning to India.
In 1921 he assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress (INC) and led several nationwide campaigns.
These included easing poverty, building religious and ethnic peaceful harmony, expanding women’s rights, and achieving self-rule.
‘Mahatma’ means ‘great soul’ – he was given this name for all of the work he did.
On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot and killed by Nathuram Godse at point-blank range as he emerged from a prayer meeting.
He was a member of Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing party which had accused Gandhi of having betrayed Hindus by being too pro-Muslim.
A trial court sentenced Godse to death a year after the assassination. He was executed in 1949.
