Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse: Shinde Says 'Ready To Apologise 100 Times', Oppn's Mega Protest On Sunday

The Maharashtra CM appealed to the Opposition not to ‘play politics’ in this matter but follow up with the government on how a new and grand statue could be erected at the earliest.

Eknath Shinde said that the government has formed committees which will investigate the collapse.

Source : PTI

Amid the ongoing controversy over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said he was ready to put his head on the Maratha warrior’s feet and apologise 100 times. 

Shinde’s statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during his ongoing ‘Jansanman Yatra’ apologised for the collapse of the statue. 

The Maharashtra CM appealed to the Opposition not to ‘play politics’ in this matter but follow up with the government on how a new and grand statue could be erected at the earliest.

“There are many issues to be politicised. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the identity of all of us and he is our god. Please don't politicise it. I will put my head at his feet and apologise not once but a hundred times. We are running the affairs of the state by following his example. So I bow down before him,” Shinde said.

Meanwhile, leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance have announced a protest march on September 1 against the collapse of the statue.

The opposition leaders in the state, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole, will take out a march from Hutatma Chowk to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue near the Gateway of India in Mumbai from 11 am on Sunday.

Shinde further said that Chhatrapati Shivaji should give wisdom to the opponents so that they would not bring politics into the issue.

“The Indian Navy authorities have demanded that the Rajkot Fort precincts and the entire premises be declared a protected area so that they can start the erection of a new statue there. We had a meeting on Wednesday night. Two committees have been appointed for erection of a new statue comprising engineers from IITs, Navy officers and others. A grand statue will soon be erected at that place,” he said.

Shinde said that the Maharashtra government has formed committees which will investigate the collapse and take action, while another committee has been formed to build the statue. 

“One committee will investigate the reasons for the collapse of the statue and suggest action against those responsible for the same. Another committee will be set up comprising sculptors and experts with experience of making statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and engineers and Navy officers to accomplish the task,” he further said. 

"We are working on a war footing, we are preparing to build a grand statue of Shivaji Maharaj there as soon as possible. Instead of doing politics on this, everyone needs to cooperate," he added.

Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that an inquiry into the statue collapse incident is underway.

"It is our resolve to build a bigger statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the same site," he said.