Statue Collapse Sparks Protests and Political Controversy in Maharashtra
The collapse of a massive statue of the 17th-century warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has ignited a wave of protests and political controversy in Maharashtra, India. The statue, erected in Sindhudurg district, was a symbol of regional pride and historical significance. Its collapse, weeks before crucial state elections, has significantly impacted the political landscape, with opposition parties seizing the moment to criticize the state government.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered figure in Maharashtra, is celebrated for his resistance against Mughal expansion and is an icon of the Hindu right. The statue's fall on August 26, amid heavy monsoon rains, has drawn widespread condemnation and political fallout. The incident has led to demands for the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, with allegations of corruption in the statue's construction process.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the statue in December, issued a public apology, acknowledging the hurt feelings of Shivaji Maharaj's followers. "I extend my apologies to all those who worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their revered deity. I know their sentiments are hurt," Modi said on Friday. The apology reflects the gravity of the situation, given the statue's symbolic importance and the timing of its collapse.
The statue, costing approximately 23.6 million rupees ($281,285; £214,185) and standing 35 feet (10.6 meters) tall, was meant to be a grand tribute to Shivaji Maharaj. However, the structure's failure has prompted scrutiny over its construction and the involved parties. Opposition leaders, including Sharad Pawar, have accused the government of corruption, claiming that the collapse is a result of negligence and mismanagement. Pawar highlighted that other statues of Shivaji across the state have remained intact, further fueling allegations of wrongdoing.
In response, Chief Minister Shinde has denied the accusations, attributing the collapse to strong coastal winds rather than construction flaws. State Minister Ravindra Chavan has indicated that the public works department had previously warned the Indian Navy—responsible for the statue's oversight—about potential issues with rust in the statue's structural components.
The BJP, part of Maharashtra's ruling coalition along with factions of the Shiv Sena and National Congress Party (NCP), has faced significant backlash. Ashish Shelar, the BJP's Mumbai chief, has publicly apologized and promised corrective measures, including punishment for those responsible. One person, the project's structural consultant, has been arrested, and authorities are searching for the statue's sculptor.
The controversy has intensified the political atmosphere in Maharashtra, where Shivaji Maharaj's legacy plays a pivotal role. Politicians are wary of offending the Maratha community, which has a significant influence on the state's political dynamics. The opposition alliance, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), has organized state-wide protests, framing the issue as an affront to state pride and Maratha heritage. The BJP, in turn, has held counter-protests, accusing the MVA of politicizing the incident.
As Maharashtra approaches its elections, the fallout from the statue's collapse is likely to continue shaping the political discourse, with both sides leveraging the issue to rally support and criticize their opponents.