The recent collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties seizing the moment to challenge the ruling Eknath Shinde government. The incident, which took place on August 26, has intensified the already volatile political landscape in the state, drawing reactions from leaders across the spectrum.
Uddhav Thackeray’s Accusations and the "Jode Maro" Protest
Uddhav Thackeray, leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and a prominent figure in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government over the statue's collapse. During a "Jode Maro" protest—a symbolic action meaning "hit with footwear"—Thackeray accused the Prime Minister's apology of being insincere and reeking of arrogance. "Did you notice the arrogance in the Prime Minister's apology?" Thackeray questioned, suggesting that the apology failed to address the corruption that allegedly led to the collapse. He urged the MVA cadre to unite against what he described as an "insult to the soul of Maharashtra".
Prime Minister Modi's apology, delivered to calm the followers of Shivaji Maharaj, has not stand well. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity", the Prime Minister said, attempting to calm the hurt sentiments of the Maharashtrian population. However, Thackeray and other opposition leaders have been unsparing in their criticism, accusing the ruling coalition of insulting Maharashtra's pride.
BJP and Allies Strike Back
Responding to the escalating opposition, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the protest as political opportunism. Shinde, who has been accused of politicizing the statue issue himself, claimed, "The opposition is doing politics on this. The people of Maharashtra will beat them with shoes". He argued that while two JCB machines were used to uproot another Shivaji statue in Karnataka under a Congress government, the MVA’s protest in Mumbai was misplaced and hypocritical.
Fadnavis similarly, accused the opposition of leveraging the incident for political mileage ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. He recalled what he considered historical slights by the Congress and NCP against Shivaji Maharaj, arguing that the MVA's outrage was selective and politically motivated.
Protests and Arrests: A City on Edge
The MVA protest, which drew thousands of supporters, moved from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India, expressing anger and demanding accountability for the statue's collapse. The Mumbai police, in response, have heightened security measures to maintain order. Amidst the protest, Arvind Sawant, a Shiv Sena UBT MP, declared that the agitation was not politically motivated but rather aimed at defending Maharashtra’s honor.
#WATCH | MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) holds a protest march in Mumbai from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue collapse incident.
— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024
Visuals from the city as Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and NCP-SCP leaders and workers protest. pic.twitter.com/saN0f1hdGA
Sawant expressed frustration over police efforts to curb the protest, remarking, "We are being stopped in our own Maharashtra by our own Police". His comments underscored a prevailing sentiment among many protesters who feel that the government has disrespected the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.
Legal Repercussions and Government Actions
In a move to address the controversy, the Maharashtra government has announced swift actions, including the arrest of Chetan Patil, the structural consultant responsible for the statue's design and construction. Patil faces charges under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including culpable homicide and acts endangering life and safety. Additionally, the state has set up two committees: one to investigate the causes of the collapse and another to oversee the statue's reconstruction.
Eknath Shinde, facing increasing pressure, has promised a thorough investigation and swift reconstruction of the statue. "This is a matter of identity and faith for us", he affirmed, while simultaneously accusing the opposition of exploiting the incident for electoral gain.
The Battle for Maharashtra’s Soul
As the state gears up for elections, the Shivaji statue collapse has become a flashpoint in a broader battle over Maharashtra’s cultural and political identity. The controversy has reignited debates over the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Maharashtra's history, and the extent to which his legacy is being used for political gain.
While the ruling coalition accuses the opposition of divisive tactics, the MVA says it is defending Maharashtra's honor against what it views as the corruption and arrogance of the current government. With both sides digging in their heels, the upcoming months promise to be a turbulent period in Maharashtra politics, with the Shivaji statue at the center of the storm.
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