Mumbai, August 31: Apologizing to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Friday, PM Modi expressed regret over the 35-foot-tall statue of the Maratha warrior that collapsed earlier this week at Sindhudurg’s Rajkot Fort.
PM Modi expressed his regret over “collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue” in Maharashtra
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is more than just a name or a monarch. He is our god in our eyes. At today’s Vadhvan Port project foundation stone-laying ceremony in Palghar district, Maharashtra, the prime minister remarked, “I bow my head at his feet and apologize to my deity.”
He also expressed regret to Maratha king’s supporters and people who revere Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their “Aaradhya Dev”.
On August 26, a 35-foot statue of the Maratha ruler that was unveiled by Prime Minister Modi last year at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, on the celebration of Indian Navy Day, toppled.
The prime minister also mocked the opposition leaders for repeatedly criticizing and attacking Hindutva ideologue and freedom fighter Veer Savarkar and his philosophy.
“We hold distinct values. Nothing is greater than our deity in our eyes. Some individuals continue to mistreat Veer Savarkar, but they’re not willing to say they’re sorry; instead, they’re ready to fight in the courts, he added.
Congressman Rahul Gandhi is fighting against a criminal defamation lawsuit brought by Satyaki Savarkar, the grandson of VD Savarkar. Leader of opposition, Mr. Gandhi is accused of making false allegations against the Hindutva ideologue during his address in London.
The Indian Navy was responsible for the statue’s design and construction, according to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The Indian Navy launched an investigation into the incident after the statue collapsed.
Shortly before the structure collapsed, the Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) had written to a Naval official expressing worries over rust accumulation on Shivaji Maharaj’s statue and suggesting permanent solutions.
Nationwide uproar followed the statue’s collapse, with the opposition accusing the ruling party of demeaning Shivaji Maharaj.
