Tensions escalated in Maharashtra after the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, with political leaders from both the ruling BJP and the opposition MVA engaging in a war of words.
The controversy began when Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized for the statue’s collapse during an event in Palghar, stating that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a name or a king, but a deity. He expressed his regret for the incident, bowing his head in respect.
However, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticized the apology, calling it an act of arrogance. Addressing a crowd during a protest in Mumbai, Thackeray pointed out that the deputy chief minister was smiling during the apology, indicating a lack of sincerity. He also questioned the timing of the apology, arguing that it was for a statue inaugurated eight months ago and that the apology should have addressed the corruption involved in the incident.
The protest, dubbed ‘jode maro’ (hit with footwear), saw a significant turnout of opposition leaders, including NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Congress state unit chief Nana Patole, and Mumbai unit chief Varsha Gaikwad. The march began at the iconic Hutatma Chowk and culminated at the Gateway of India in south Mumbai.
Thackeray’s criticism resonated with Pawar, who also condemned the statue’s collapse, labeling it an example of corruption and an insult to all followers of the warrior king. Kolhapur Congress MP Shahu Chhatrapati, a descendant of the emperor, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s dignity.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) staged protests across Maharashtra against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) for allegedly politicizing the statue’s collapse. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Bawankule accused the MVA of using the incident for vote bank politics and attempting to spread anarchy in the state ahead of the assembly polls.
The controversy surrounding the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse has further intensified the political climate in Maharashtra, highlighting the deep divisions between the ruling BJP and the opposition MVA ahead of the upcoming elections.
