Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP national president Ajit Pawar visited the Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg district, on Friday to assess the situation following the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue. His visit came just two days after he publicly apologized for the incident amid widespread public outcry.
In a statement on X, Pawar expressed his regret over the “unfortunate incident” and affirmed his commitment to restoring the statue. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our self-respect and identity. We will soon erect a strong and sturdy statue of Maharaj again,” Pawar stated. His visit occurred early in the day, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Maharashtra.
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Pawar had previously condemned the statue’s collapse, calling it “shocking” and demanding a thorough investigation. He criticized the handling of the project and questioned whether the team had conducted a scientific study of the geographical and climatic conditions before erecting the statue. Pawar also insisted on punitive action against those responsible, including potential blacklisting of the contractor involved.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s visit is particularly notable given Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s recent statements on the matter. On Thursday, Shinde pledged to apologize repeatedly for the incident, emphasizing the statue’s symbolic importance. The timing of Pawar’s visit also coincides with increased criticism from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government against the MahaYuti government, and an upcoming protest at Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai organized by the NCP.
Silent Sit-In Protests
The NCP had held silent sit-in protests across the state, demanding prompt action to replace the fallen statue. The party has called for the government to quickly install a new statue and memorial in honor of the Maratha warrior.
In response, Chief Minister Shinde announced the formation of a joint technical committee, including civil engineers, IIT representatives, and Navy officers, to investigate the collapse and determine accountability. Additionally, he has instructed the creation of a design committee involving experts from JJ School of Arts, IIT, and renowned sculptors to propose a new design for the statue.
