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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

'Meaningless civic gesture': MAGA backlash erupts over Swami Vivekananda's statue in Seattle

Swami Vivekananda Seattle Katie Wilson Prakash Gupta India United States

The first-ever life-sized statue of Swami Vivekananda was unveiled in the US on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by Seattle mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle, Prakash Gupta. The bronze statue honouring the famous Indian philosopher and spiritual leader has been installed at the Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, which records over 400,000 visitors daily.

Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it marks the first such installation hosted by a city government across the US, said the officials. It has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its "rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity," said the Indian mission in Seattle in a statement.

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