Shivaji Statue Collapse: Heavy Security Deployed in Mumbai As Opposition Plans Large-Scale Protest

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has heightened security in Mumbai in response to the Maha Vikas Aghadi's call for a protest march. The demonstration comes after the collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan, Sindhudurg.

The opposition has started the protest march in Mumbai, starting from Hutatma Chowk and proceeding to the Gateway of India. The march follows the collapse of a 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district on August 26. The statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during last year’s Navy Day celebrations in December.

Uddhav Thackery Criticised Maharashtra Government

In response to the protest, police and security personnel have been deployed across Mumbai to maintain law and order. The statue's collapse has sparked widespread outrage, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticising the BJP-led Mahayuti government. Thackeray questioned the explanation that strong winds caused the statue to fall.

He said, " "Two days ago, people saw how the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fell and the kinds of statements being made. Raj Bhavan is on the seashore, yet even the Governor's hat never flew off. They say the statue fell due to strong winds--how is this possible?"

PM Apologised over Shivaji Statue Collapse

The incident has also led to protests against Prime Minister Modi, with Youth Congress leaders and other party workers being detained by Mumbai police on Friday as they demanded a public apology from him over the statue’s collapse. In response, Prime Minister Modi expressed his regret, stating, "I bow my head and apologize to the people of Maharashtra who were hurt by the collapse of the Shivaji statue at Sindhudurg. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity."

The situation has prompted swift action from the Maharashtra government. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that decisions are being made on a war footing to reconstruct the statue. Two committees have been formed, including a joint technical committee led by the Indian Navy, with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts, to investigate the collapse at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg. Additionally, Chetan Patil, the structural consultant responsible for the statue, has been arrested in Kolhapur, and an FIR has been registered under sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

(With Inputs from ANI)