Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse in Sindhudurg Sparks Political Controversy
A 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg collapsed, causing widespread embarrassment for the Maharashtra government. The incident has turned into a political issue, with leaders from different parties voicing their concerns.
Aaditya Thackeray’s Criticism
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized the BJP, linking the incident to corruption. He stated, “It is unimaginable that the statue of our deity, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would also be a subject of the BJP’s corruption.” Thackeray also accused the BJP of blaming the Indian Navy and prioritizing elections over quality work.
Nana Patole’s Allegations
Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole also blamed government corruption for the incident. He said, “The way the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was vandalized is because of their corruption, whether this government is of the centre or the state, they know nothing except corruption.” Patole called for the government to step down, stating that the incident was a misfortune for Maharashtra.
Legal Actions
The local police filed an FIR against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil following the collapse. The FIR was filed under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Inauguration Details
The statue was inaugurated in December 2023 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Navy Day. The presence of high-profile leaders at the inauguration has added to the controversy surrounding the incident.
Doubts Revealed
Shivaji Maharaj -: Shivaji Maharaj was a great king and warrior from Maharashtra who founded the Maratha Empire in the 17th century.
Sindhudurg -: Sindhudurg is a district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is known for its beautiful beaches and historical forts.
Shiv Sena -: Shiv Sena is a political party in Maharashtra, India. It was founded by Bal Thackeray and is currently led by Uddhav Thackeray.
Aaditya Thackeray -: Aaditya Thackeray is a leader of the Shiv Sena party and the son of Uddhav Thackeray, the former Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, a major political party in India. It is currently the ruling party at the national level.
Maharashtra Congress -: Maharashtra Congress is the state unit of the Indian National Congress party in Maharashtra. It is one of the oldest political parties in India.
Nana Patole -: Nana Patole is the President of the Maharashtra Congress. He is a politician who has served in various capacities in the state.
FIR -: FIR stands for First Information Report. It is a document prepared by the police when they receive information about a crime.
contractor -: A contractor is a person or company hired to do a specific job, like building something. In this case, Jaydeep Apte was the contractor for the statue.
structural consultant -: A structural consultant is an expert who helps design buildings and structures to make sure they are safe and strong. Chetan Patil was the structural consultant for the statue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is a member of the BJP and has been in office since 2014.
Navy Day -: Navy Day is celebrated in India on December 4th every year to honor the achievements and role of the Indian Navy.
