Vijay Wadettiwar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Maharashtra State Assembly, has strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the recent Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse incident in Malvan. Wadettiwar’s condemnation comes in the wake of the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue that was inaugurated by PM Modi eight months ago, raising questions about the quality of the construction and the government’s response to the situation.
During the Prime Minister’s visit to Maharashtra, Wadettiwar expressed his dismay over the collapse of the statue, stating, “The Prime Minister inaugurated the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue eight months ago, and now it has completely collapsed. The PM is coming to Maharashtra, and when Congress workers are asking for an apology from the PM on the streets for the Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse, they are being arrested.” This incident has sparked outrage among Congress workers and leaders, leading to protests and calls for accountability from the government.
Wadettiwar also criticized the state government for its heavy-handed approach in arresting Congress leaders in Mumbai who were protesting against the PM’s visit and demanding an apology for the statue collapse. He questioned the government’s stance on freedom of expression and the right to protest, stating, “If our Congress workers are protesting to demand an apology, then what is so wrong with that? Is this democracy? Does this government operate on constitutional principles? If we voice our opinions on the streets, what is so wrong with that? Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is Maharashtra’s pride and honour.”
In response to the incident, Maharashtra Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has assured that swift action is being taken to reconstruct the statue, with two committees formed to investigate the Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Malvan. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar visited the site of the collapse in Malvan to assess the situation and reiterated the importance of honoring the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, stating, “Shivaji Maharaj is our self-respect, our identity.”
The Shivaji Maharaj statue, unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg, aimed to honor the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in maritime defense and security. The collapse of the statue has raised concerns about the quality of the construction and the need for thorough investigations to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the Prime Minister undertook his tour of Maharashtra, the state Congress unit launched a protest against the state and central governments over the Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse. Youth Congress leaders and party workers were detained by Mumbai police while protesting the PM’s visit and demanding a public apology for the collapse of the statue. Posters demanding an apology from the PM were displayed in various locations, highlighting the need for accountability and transparency in addressing such incidents.
The collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan has not only raised questions about the construction quality and government response but also sparked a larger debate on the importance of preserving historical monuments and honoring the legacy of iconic figures like Shivaji Maharaj. As investigations continue and protests escalate, the need for accountability, transparency, and action from the government remains paramount to ensure the preservation of Maharashtra’s pride and heritage.