Maharashtra: Shivaji Maharaj Statue collapses, Reason Explained

The great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj which was inaugurated eight months earlier by PM Modi was collapsed on August 26. The incident has led to widespread anger among his admires and political leaders.

Shivaji Maharaj Details:

The Chhatrapati Shivaji statue was 35-foot-tall, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, fell from its base and broke into pieces. The collapsed statue, which cost approximately ₹5 crore, was intended to honor the great Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

Reason For The Collapse:

It has been reported that the Public Works Department (PWD) noted the rusting parts in the statue. Then posed a serious risk to the statue's stability, but their warnings were ignored. Despite these warnings and a specific alert from the assistant engineer of the Malvan division of the PWD on August 20, it is said no corrective measures were taken. 

Sindhudurg Guardian Minister Ravindra Chavan stated, "The steel used in the statue had begun to rust. The PWD had informed Navy officials about this issue and requested that appropriate actions be taken to address the rusting and prevent further deterioration."

FIR Filed:

Following the collapse of the 35-foot-tall Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, the Sindhudurg Police in Maharashtra have filed an FIR against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil.  The action comes as part of an investigation into the incident, which has raised concerns about the structural integrity and oversight of the project.

Political  Reaction:

Its collapse has drawn severe criticism from political parties, particularly from former MLA Vaibhav Naik, who has blamed the poor construction quality and called for responsibility. Naik has warned of potential statewide protests if action is not taken.

The opposition parties criticize the state government, accusing it of prioritizing publicity over the quality of the Shivaji Maharaj statue. 

Eknath Shinde, the Maharastra's Chief Minister, has attributed the collapse to "strong winds" and has pledged to rebuild the statue. Shinde clarified that the Indian Navy was responsible for its construction.

Indian Navy’s Response:

The Indian Navy has expressed deep concern over the incident and has announced an investigation into the cause of the collapse. In a statement released on August 26 night, the Navy announced its commitment to repairing and reinstalling the statue.

"The Indian Navy notes with deep concern the damage caused to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," the statement read. "We have deputed a team to investigate the cause of this unfortunate accident and will take prompt action to restore the statue."

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, born on February 19, 1630, at Shivneri Fort, was a formidable Maratha ruler who established a significant empire and played a crucial role in Indian history. He is known for his strong military and naval capabilities, as well as his mastery of guerrilla warfare, Shivaji Maharaj is widely revered in India. 

So, the collapse of his statue has not only sparked political disputes but also caused deep frustration among his admirers.