Protests in Mumbai Over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse
In Mumbai, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held separate protests following the collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg. The statue, unveiled on December 4 last year during Navy Day celebrations, collapsed on August 26.
MVA’s Protest
The MVA’s protest march started from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, aiming to condemn the incident. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai expressed disappointment with the Maharashtra government’s response, stating, “PM was emotional, he expressed his grief over the incident, but the government of Maharashtra, which should have expressed themselves, didn’t.” He assured that the protest would be democratic and disciplined.
BJP’s Counter-Protest
The BJP staged a counter-protest in the Dadri area of Mumbai, accusing the MVA of politicizing the issue. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the opposition’s protest as purely political.
Emotional Impact
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant emphasized that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered as a god-like figure and criticized the authorities for hindering their protest. He claimed that the statue’s collapse represented a blow to their honour and self-respect. Sawant also criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Central Government for disrespecting Maharashtra.
Doubts Revealed
Mumbai -: Mumbai is a big city in India, known as the financial capital of the country. It is located in the state of Maharashtra.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj -: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was a great Indian king and warrior from the 17th century. He founded the Maratha Empire and is a hero in Maharashtra.
Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) -: Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is a political alliance in Maharashtra. It includes parties like Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and Indian National Congress.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is one of the major political parties in India. It is currently the ruling party at the national level.
Shiv Sena (UBT) -: Shiv Sena (UBT) is a faction of the Shiv Sena party. UBT stands for Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, who is a leader of this faction.
Sindhudurg -: Sindhudurg is a district in the state of Maharashtra. It is known for its historical forts and beautiful beaches.
Maharashtra -: Maharashtra is a state in western India. Its capital is Mumbai, and it is one of the most populous and economically important states in India.
Deputy Chief Minister -: The Deputy Chief Minister is the second-highest-ranking official in the state government. Devendra Fadnavis is the current Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
Devendra Fadnavis -: Devendra Fadnavis is a politician from the BJP. He is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and has also served as the Chief Minister before.
