On August 26, 2024, a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Maratha warrior king, which had been unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, collapsed at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district. The 35-foot statue fell around 1 p.m.
While experts will investigate the precise cause of the collapse, it was noted that the district had recently experienced heavy rains and strong winds over the past two to three days.
The statue was inaugurated by PM Modi on December 4, 2023, during Navy Day celebrations at the fort.
Opposition criticise Modi
Following the collapse of the statue, Opposition leaders sharply criticized both the Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre and the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra. They accused both administrations of corruption related to the statue of the Maratha warrior king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
They highlighted that while the forts constructed by Shivaji Maharaj have withstood the test of time, the statue unveiled by Prime Minister Modi, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now disappeared.
“It is disgraceful that this government has allegedly siphoned off funds even in the construction of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue,” said Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar, taking a dig at the administration. He called the incident a “shameful example” of a government mired in corruption and demanded a thorough investigation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP Vinayak Raut expressed his anguish, saying, “Maharaj, please forgive us… We cannot bear to witness your humiliation at the hands of traitors.”
Mr. Wadettiwar called for the immediate reinstatement of the statue at the site with even greater splendor and demanded that the contractor who showed disrespect to the Maharaja be blacklisted.
He also urged the prompt termination of all ongoing projects involving this contractor and insisted that those responsible for the dishonor to the Maharaja be held accountable and punished.
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Insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: Sule
NCP (SP) working president and Baramati MP Supriya Sule said when the Prime Minister of the country inaugurates a monument or structure, people expect the work to be of high quality. “However, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, collapsed within a year, which is an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This memorial was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023. The collapse of the statue within a year clearly indicates that the work was of inferior quality. This situation represents a betrayal of both the Prime Minister and the public. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a thorough investigation into the reasons behind the substandard work and other related issues,” she said.
Ms. Sule said that the responsibility of erecting the statue was given to a contractor from Thane district, which is Mr. Shinde’s political stronghold. “It’s now evident how the work was handled. We demand that this individual and his organisation be blacklisted from all future projects,” she said.
A Letter to PM for replacement
Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, the 13th direct descendant of Shivaji Maharaj, said that the statue, hastily erected for inauguration by the Prime Minister, has collapsed. “We had previously written to the Prime Minister, urging the replacement of this statue, which was poorly crafted, lacking proper form, and installed in a rush. In Maharashtra, it’s unprecedented for a memorial to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to collapse within a year. Given this, how can we even speak of preserving Maharaja’s forts with any credibility?” he said.
“Now, it is essential to construct a proper memorial for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at that site. However, in the rush to complete it before elections, we must avoid repeating the same mistakes. It is crucial that this monument is rebuilt scientifically, even if it takes more time,” the former Rajya Sabha MP and the heir to Kolhapur royal family, said.
A furious MLA of Shiv Sena (UBT), Vaibhav Naik, vandalised the Public Works Department office in Sindhudurg, responsible for the ‘substandard’ work. He criticised the State government for the alleged poor quality of the work. “The State government may try to evade responsibility. People responsible for the construction and erection of the statue must be probed thoroughly,” he said.
Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar said, “I don’t have all the details about the incident. However, it’s important to note that PWD Minister Ravindra Chavan, also the guardian minister of Sindhudurg district, has said a thorough investigation will be conducted in the matter.”
“We are committed to erecting a new statue at the same location. This statue, unveiled by PM Modi, pays tribute to Shivaji Maharaj’s visionary efforts in building a sea fort. We will take all necessary steps to address this matter promptly and effectively,” he said.
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