Silent protests across Maharashtra against Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse

The NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, will hold silent protests across Maharashtra on Thursday after a statue of Shivaji Maharaj collapsed at a fort in Sindhudurg district.

The party is demanding the installation of a stronger and bigger statue of the 17th-century king at the same location, an official said.

The move is significant as the NCP is one of the three members of the Mahayuti government, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, amid possible political ramifications and public outrage over the statue collapse. Earlier, Ajit Pawar had apologised to the people of Maharashtra and assured that action would be taken against those responsible, be they officials or contractors.

NCP leaders and workers will gather in front of Shivaji Maharaj statues in respective talukas and districts for a silent protest from 11 am on Thursday. They will submit a list of demands to the tehsildars or district collectors, a party functionary said.

“Those responsible for the shoddy work that led to the collapse should be severely punished. Shivaji Maharaj is considered the father of the country’s Navy because of his significant contributions,” he added.

The 10-metre-high statue collapsed on August 26, a few months after it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi. Police arrested the contractor after the state Public Works Department (PWD) cited poor quality construction.

(With contributions from agencies.)