Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction workers stage silent protest against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse in Malvan

Workers of the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday staged a silent protest in Pune following the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

A 10-metre-high statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed in Sindhudurg district on Monday afternoon. The statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Navy Day in December 2023.

Anand Paranjpe, spokesperson of the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP in Maharashtra, said, “The incident that took place in Sindhudurg district is very objectionable and the state government has also ordered an inquiry into it, but we demand that the Home Minister should take immediate action and the people responsible for this misdeed should be arrested.”

Several opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident.

“Two days ago, people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and what kind of statements people are making. Raj Bhavan is on the seaside but even the governor’s hat has never flown and they are saying that Shivaji Maharaj’s statue fell due to strong winds, how is this possible?” Uddhav Thackeray asked.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the “statue fell and was damaged by strong winds”. Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole criticised the state government, saying the central and state governments knew nothing but corruption.

He said, “The way the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was vandalised is because of their corruption. Whether this government is at the centre or the state, they know nothing but corruption. They have never shied away from insulting the ideas of Shivaji Maharaj, the lord of Maharashtra. Yesterday’s incident is a misfortune for Maharashtra, for the people of Maharashtra. And no one will forgive this government, this government should now leave the chair and run away.”

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday apologised to the people of Maharashtra after the statue collapsed at Rajkot Fort. The deputy chief minister also assured that those responsible would be severely punished.