In a startling turn of events, UK authorities apprehended two individuals, including an Indian-origin man, for splashing orange paint on Stonehenge, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site in England. The vandalism, carried out by members of the group Just Stop Oil, drew condemnation from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who labeled it a disgraceful act of vandalism. Opposition leader Keir Starmer echoed this sentiment, denouncing the group as pathetic and decrying the damage as outrageous.The incident occurred just ahead of the summer solstice, a significant event where thousands gather annually at the ancient stone circle to mark the longest day of the Northern Hemisphere year, as reported by AP.Netizens flood internet with reactionsEnglish Heritage, custodians of Stonehenge, expressed deep distress over the incident and launched an investigation into the extent of the damage caused by the paint. Just Stop Oil defended its actions on X, a social media platform, claiming the paint was biodegradable and would dissolve in rain.Watch the video here:Absolutely disgusting. The self entitled morons from Just Stop Oil have sprayed the historic Stonehenge monument in orange paint.This is cultural desecration and the only way to stop this will be to hand out very harsh sentences to send a strong message. pic.twitter.com/jY08hiKhNh— Chris Rose (@ArchRose90) June 19, 2024Legal ramificationsWiltshire Police took immediate action, arresting the suspects on suspicion of damaging one of the worlds most revered prehistoric sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Historical importance of StonehengeStonehenge, erected over 4,500 years ago on Salisbury Plain, stands as a testament to ancient engineering and cultural heritage. Its unique stone circle, erected during the late Neolithic period around 2,500 B.C., continues to fascinate historians and archaeologists. While some stones traveled from as far as southwest Wales, the origins of others remain shrouded in mystery.Just stop oils campaignJust Stop Oil is part of a broader European movement that seeks to raise awareness about climate change through disruptive actions. Their tactics, including interrupting sporting events and defacing prominent landmarks, have sparked controversy and debate.Political motivationThe group cited the Labour Partys election manifesto as motivation for their act, following Labours pledge to halt further licenses for oil and gas exploration if elected on July 4. Just Stop Oil supports this moratorium but insists on more aggressive measures, advocating for a treaty to phase out fossil fuels entirely by 2030.
