Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (August 30, 2024) apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and those hurt by the collapse of the 17th-century warrior king’s statue at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
“For me, my colleagues, and everyone, Shivaji Maharaj is not just a king but a revered figure... Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity,” he said. The Prime Minister was addressing a gathering in Palghar, after laying the foundation stone of the ₹ 76,000 crore Vadhvan Port and other projects.
In a veiled jab at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, Prime Minister Modi said that some people keep abusing Veer Savarkar but are not ready to apologise for insulting him. “We are not the ones who constantly insult and abuse Veer Savarkar, hurting the sentiments of patriots. Despite this, they refuse to apologise and instead head to court. The people of Maharashtra should recognise their ‘sanskar’ (values). My ‘sanskar’ is that the first thing I did upon landing in Maharashtra today was to apologise to my revered deity. I also apologise to the people who were hurt by the collapse,” he said.
“I also extend my apologies to all those who worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their revered deity, as their sentiments were hurt. My ‘sanskar’ is entirely different... for us, nothing is greater than our revered deity,” Mr. Modi said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Palghar, Maharashtra, on, August 30, 2024 | Photo Credit: PTI
The 35-foot statue of the Maratha empire founder, unveiled by Prime Minister Modi at Rajkot Fort on Navy Day (December 4) last year, collapsed on August 26. The Indian Navy has announced that a joint technical committee headed by the Navy with representatives from the state government and technical experts will investigate the reasons for the statue collapse.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday (August 30, 2024) visited the Rajkot fort and later posted on social-media platform ‘X’, that “a grand statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be installed at the same place”.
Meanwhile, the structural consultant, Chetan Patil, named in the FIR registered in connection with the collapse of the statue has been arrested from Kolhapur, police said on Friday (August 30, 2024).
Opposition protest
Congress party leaders, including MP Varsha Gaikwad, have staged a protest at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, demanding an apology from Mr. Modi over the Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse incident. Ms. Gaikwad also claimed being detained by the police at her residence, ahead of PM Modi’s visit.
Meanwhile, Yuva Shiv Sena also alleged that the students from Veer Wajekar Arts Science and Commerce College, Raigad were brought to attend the event at Palghar under the pretext of an “educational trip”.
In a letter, they demanded action against the college for using the funds and forcing students to attend the political event. They also asked, “Whether the higher and technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil instructed to bring students to the political event amid the internal exams in the college?”
(With inputs from Snehal Mutha)
