The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Ajit Pawar, organized a statewide silent sit-in protest on Thursday in response to the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.
The protest comes a day after tensions erupted between supporters of the Maha Vikas Aghadi and MahaYuti. NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare, who is accompanying party president Ajit Pawar on his Jansanman Yatra, issued a directive urging party members—including sitting and former legislators, MPs, and office-bearers—to participate in the demonstration. Tatkare called for party representatives to submit formal petitions to the tehsildar and district collector demanding severe action against those responsible for the statue’s collapse.
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Tatkare also emphasized the need for the government to replace the fallen statue with a new, imposing one and to erect a memorial honoring the Maratha warrior who reshaped Indian history. However, his statements come amid appeals from Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis for the opposition to avoid politicizing the issue.
Criticism Of MahaYuti Government
In response to the incident, security at Rajkot Fort has been heightened to prevent any disturbances and maintain order. The NCP’s decision to stage a protest has taken the BJP and Shiv Sena by surprise, particularly as the Maha Vikas Aghadi ramps up its criticism of the MahaYuti government, accusing it of corruption related to the statue’s collapse. The Maha Vikas Aghadi has scheduled a protest at Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai for Sunday.
NCP legislator Amol Mitkari has called for the imprisonment of contractor Jaydeep Apte, accusing him of treason. Mitkari criticized Apte for allegedly including a historical scar on the statue’s forehead, which he claimed misrepresents historical facts. He further argued that Apte’s actions amount to a betrayal of the historical legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and urged Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take decisive action against him.
Moreover, Mitkari cited Apte’s past interviews, where he had commented on Shivaji Maharaj’s historical injuries, questioning the contractor’s motives and the accuracy of his portrayal. The controversy surrounding the statue and the political responses it has provoked continue to fuel tensions across the state.
