Viral Video: Teens Burst Crackers On Mahatma Gandhi Statue In Hyderabad, Apologise Later

In the widely circulated footage, shared on the social platform X, a young boy can be seen approaching Gandhi’s bust and igniting a cracker.

In a separate incident, another Gandhi statue was reportedly damaged by unknown miscreants at Pragati Nagar Ambi Pond in Nizampet

Source : Special arrangement

In Hyderabad, a group of teenagers was captured on video vandalising a statue of Mahatma Gandhi by setting off a firecracker in its mouth. The event, which reportedly occurred within the jurisdiction of the Bowenpally Police Station, sparked a swift backlash online. In the widely circulated footage, shared on the social platform X, a young boy can be seen approaching Gandhi’s bust and igniting a cracker, leading to significant public outrage.

Following the incident, the teenagers involved, including two minors, issued a public apology. They claimed that they had acted out of ignorance and now regretted their actions.

The Hyderabad City Police, who identified the youths after a social media user flagged the incident, acknowledged their remorse in a post on X. The police statement encouraged the teens, noting, “As young citizens, you have the power to shape India’s future.  Lessons from history & inspiration from freedom fighters show us path for the future. Appreciate that you realized mistake & that's first step for progress. Best wishes."

In bowenpally Hyderabad four kids vandalize the statue of Gandhi 🤑🤑🤑
Note -- They are kids and didn't do intentionally 🤓 pic.twitter.com/qSGxgxX5Xh

— Sanatani Thakur 🇮🇳 (@SanggitaT) November 5, 2024

In a follow-up video, the teenagers are seen garlanding the statue as a sign of respect and repentance, pledging to avoid such behavior in the future. One of the parents also stepped forward, asking for forgiveness on behalf of the children, promising to prevent further disrespectful acts.

The incident has led to intense criticism on social media, with many users urging authorities to take strict measures to prevent similar acts. A Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) member also took to X to tag senior IPS officer CV Anand, calling for immediate action.

In a separate incident, another Gandhi statue was reportedly damaged by unknown miscreants at Pragati Nagar Ambi Pond in Nizampet, raising further concerns about the desecration of national icons. The damaged statue, installed on Gandhi Jayanti by local Congress leaders, has led residents to demand justice as police initiate an investigation into both incidents.