The controversy over the fall of Shivaji statue in Mumbai is continuing. Despite an apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is not subsiding. The apology has become a matter of controversy ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections and Uddhav Thackeray has raised questions on it. At the same time, other Mahavikas Aghadi allies Sharad Pawar and Nana Patole have also attacked.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing a gathering in Maharashtra on Friday, said, “I bow my head and apologize for this incident. Shivaji is our beloved god.” He made this statement on Friday during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Vadhavan port project in the state’s Palghar district.
Rallies in Mumbai on Sunday
Sunday was the day of protest rallies in Mumbai. Not only were there protests against the BJP over the fall of the statue in the country’s financial capital, but the BJP also held a rally against the opposition. In this, their reverence for the 17th-century Maratha warrior king was challenged.
Nationalist Congress Party President
Congress party president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said the opposition in Maharashtra will not rest until the ‘Mahayuti’ government is removed from power in the next two months and a new government based on the ideals of Shivaji is formed. Addressing party workers in Ghatkopar, Mumbai, Pawar criticized the state government over the incident of the fall of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, in Sindhudurg district on August 26.
Rally of opposition coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi
Opposition coalition Maha Vikas Aghadi held a protest rally, where former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said that the soul of Maharashtra has been insulted and people will never forget those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji. He also questioned Prime Minister Modi’s apology.
Maharashtra unit of Congress
Maharashtra unit chief of Congress Nana Patole said that much before the Prime Minister apologized, the opposition had apologized to the Maratha warrior for allowing such a ‘Shivaji drohi’ (betrayer of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s principles) government to come to power. He said, ‘We have resolved that this will not happen again.
Rajiv Mishra’s Statement
Maharashtra Art Directorate’s director Rajiv Mishra says that he had permitted to installation of only a 6-foot-tall statue. For this, the sculptor had shown a clay model. After getting the approval, the Navy did not tell the directorate that the statue would be 35 feet tall. Nor was it told that steel plates would be used in it.