PM Narendra Modi issued a public apology on Friday following the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan. Modi emphasized that the Maratha warrior is not just a king but a deity he deeply respects.
Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Rs 76,000 crore Vadhvan port in Palghar, Modi said, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a king for us; he is a deity. I bow my head and apologize to Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for the incident in Malvan. We do not use great men for politics.”
Cultural Reverence & Apology
Modi expressed his deep reverence for Shivaji Maharaj, saying, “When I came here, I bowed my head at the feet of Shivaji Maharaj and asked for forgiveness. People who consider Shivaji Maharaj as a deity are concerned after the fall of the statue. I also apologize to those who worship such a revered figure. For us, nothing is more significant than our Aradhya Diwata (adorable deity).”
Modi recalled his visit to Raigad Fort in 2013, where he prayed at Shivaji Maharaj’s Samadhi before beginning his journey as the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.
PM Modi Criticizes Opposition Over Savarkar
Modi also criticized the Opposition, particularly the Congress, for disrespecting Veer Savarkar. “India’s great son, Veer Savarkar, is abused. The Opposition crushes the sentiments of patriots. Even after insulting Savarkar, they do not apologize. This is their tradition,” he said.
The PM’s apology comes after Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also expressed regret over the statue’s collapse. The incident has sparked outrage, with the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) organizing a protest at Hutatma Chowk on Sunday, accusing the government of corruption in awarding the statue project to a lesser-known contractor, bypassing established norms.
Also Read: Police Nabs Shivaji Statue’s Structural Consultant In Kolhapur
