In a surprising and unfortunate turn of events, the 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just last year, collapsed on Monday at the Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. The statue, which had stood as a tribute to the founder of the Maratha Empire, succumbed to the region's recent harsh weather conditions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde quickly attributed the collapse to the strong winds that have been battering the coastal district in the past few days. "We have our emotions attached to him (Shivaji Maharaj). We worship him like God. The statue collapsed due to strong winds. It’s unfortunate. Our Minister has gone there and is inspecting the situation," Shinde stated.
The statue collapsed around 1 pm, amidst heavy rainfall and gusty winds that have plagued the area. Senior officials, including those from the police and district administration, promptly arrived at the scene to assess the damage. The statue had become a symbolic presence at the historic Rajkot Fort since its inauguration on December 4 last year, a date that coincided with Navy Day celebrations.
Opposition Criticizes Government Over Quality Concerns
The incident has sparked a political firestorm, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to criticize the Maharashtra government. Leaders from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have raised serious concerns about the quality of the statue's construction.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Vaibhav Naik visited the site and pointedly accused the government of negligence. "The state government may try to evade responsibility. People responsible for the construction and erection of the statue must be probed thoroughly," he demanded, suggesting that substandard work was the real cause behind the collapse.
VIDEO | “We have our emotions attached to him (Shivaji Maharaj). We worship him like God. The statue collapsed due to the high wind. It’s unfortunate. Our Minister has gone there and is inspecting the situation,” says Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde (@mieknathshinde) on the Shivaji… pic.twitter.com/VpGAzUQOVv— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 26, 2024
Echoing these sentiments, NCP (SP) state president and former minister Jayant Patil blamed the government for prioritizing political optics over quality. "The state government is responsible for the collapse, as it did not take proper care. The government paid little attention to the quality of work. It only focused on conducting an event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was invited to unveil the statue," Patil remarked.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the government via Twitter, questioning whether any action had been taken against the contractor responsible for the statue's construction. She alleged that corruption and mismanagement were to blame, asking, "What action will be taken against the contractor? How much ‘khoke’ (bribe) did the contractor pass on to the ‘khoke sarkar’?"
Government Promises Action and New Statue
In response to the growing criticism, state minister Deepak Kesarkar reassured the public that the Maharashtra government was committed to erecting a new statue at the same location. "I don't have all the details about the incident. However, it's important to note that PWD Minister Ravindra Chavan, also the guardian minister of Sindhudurg district, has said a thorough investigation will be conducted in the matter," Kesarkar stated.
He further emphasized the government's dedication to preserving the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, asserting, "This statue, unveiled by PM Modi, pays tribute to Shivaji Maharaj's visionary efforts in building a sea fort. We will take all necessary steps to address this matter promptly and effectively."
The collapse of the statue has not only marred the iconic site but also raised questions about the governance and quality control of such significant projects in Maharashtra. As the government prepares to rebuild, the incident remains a point of contention between the ruling party and its opponents.
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Sources
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