Chhatrapati Shivaji statue collapse: Maharashtra CM says working for earliest reconstruction of statue, taking decisions on war-footing

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 29 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said that the state government is taking decisions on war-footing for the reconstruction of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and two committees have been formed including that to investigate the collapse of the statue in Malvan area of the state.

He also called upon the opposition parties not to politicise the matter, saying that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered deeply and giving respect and honour to him is everyone’s duty.

"We have formed committees, one committee will investigate it and take action and the other committee has been formed with the intention of building the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as soon as possible... 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 said.

He said a joint committee has been formed to investigate the unfortunate collapse of Shivaji Maharaj’s statue and take action.

He said all efforts are being made for early reconstruction of the statue and Navy officials, officials from IIT, architect, engineer and sculptors of international repute were called.

“The feeling for early reconstruction of the statue..(making efforts that) this is done at the earliest…Shivaji Maharaj is ‘aradhya devta’ of Maharashtra, giving him respect and honour is everyone’s responsibility,” he said.

The Defence Ministry said earlier in the day that a joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage to the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed at Rajkot Fort, Sindhudurg, subsequent to the exceptional weather conditions in the region.

The Statue was unveiled on December 4 last year as part of the Navy Day celebrations conducted, for the first time, in Sindhudurg, aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy, the Defence Ministry release said.

It said the project was conceptualised and steered by the Indian Navy, in coordination with state govt which also provided funding for it.

“The Indian Navy remains committed to assisting in all measures to repair, restore, and reinstate the statue at the earliest," the release said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackery has questioned the BJP-led Mahayuti government over the incident.

Party leader Sanjay Raut demanded the formation of a special investigation team to investigate the case. 

"There should be an SIT under the leadership of a sitting High Court judge. Otherwise, what do these people do, they put their people in the SIT...I will demand that an inquiry be done like the High Court judge. But all this matter is not going to cool down," Raut said.

Uddhav Thackeray also attacked the government over the collapse of the 35-foot statue of Shivaji Maharaj.

"Two days ago people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and what kind of statements people are making. Rajya Bhavan is on the seashore but even the Governor's hat never flew and they say that the statue of Shivaji Maharaj fell due to strong winds, how is this possible?" he asked.  

Congress leaders, including Prithviraj Chavan, also attacked the coalition government in Mahrashtra over the issue. (ANI)