A 35-foot statue of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra in December 2022, collapsed on Monday. The incident occurred around 1 pm at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, according to a PTI report citing an official.
The collapse has sparked controversy, with opposition parties accusing the Eknath Shinde-led Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government of neglecting the quality of the construction work. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi alleged corruption in the tendering process, questioning the selection of a Thane-based contractor and suggesting potential bribery within the government.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed regret over the incident, attributing the collapse to strong winds. He confirmed that a minister has been dispatched to the site to assess the situation.
However, NCP (SP) state president and former minister Jayant Patil placed the blame squarely on the state government, asserting that they had prioritized a grand unveiling event for Prime Minister Modi over ensuring the statue’s structural integrity. Patil accused the government of accepting bribes and prioritizing commissions over quality in awarding contracts.
Senior police and district administration officials visited the site to investigate the damage. Maharashtra minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed that a thorough investigation will be conducted, emphasizing the commitment to reconstructing the statue at the original location. The statue, unveiled on Navy Day, served as a tribute to Shivaji Maharaj’s efforts in establishing sea forts.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the quality of construction projects in the state, with opposition parties demanding accountability and transparency in the investigation. The collapse of a statue honoring a revered historical figure has ignited public anger and frustration, putting the government under immense pressure to address the issue effectively and ensure the future integrity of such monuments.
