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The political landscape in India has been shaken by the recent collapse of a statue dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a revered historical figure in the country. The incident has sparked a wave of controversy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi offering an apology and the opposition demanding resignations from top government officials.
The statue, standing at 35 feet tall, was inaugurated in August 2022 in the state of Maharashtra. However, it tragically collapsed on August 26th, prompting accusations of negligence and corruption against the ruling government. The public works body, PWD, has acknowledged that rusting nuts and bolts posed a threat to the statue's stability, but critics allege that warnings were ignored. This failure has led to a growing sense of outrage among the public, particularly those who hold Shivaji Maharaj in high esteem.
The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has seized upon this opportunity to criticize the ruling government, accusing them of corruption in the construction of the statue. They have demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, placing further pressure on the ruling party. In response, Eknath Shinde has publicly expressed remorse, stating that he is ready to apologize 100 times for the incident and even place his head at the feet of the Maratha warrior.
Amidst the political turmoil, Prime Minister Modi has sought to capitalize on the situation, using the controversy as an opportunity to launch a scathing attack on the opposition. In a public address, he expressed his own apology for the statue's collapse, emphasizing his respect for Shivaji Maharaj. However, he quickly shifted focus to the opposition, accusing them of disrespecting another prominent figure – Veer Savarkar. This was a clear attempt to further inflame the political divide, drawing attention to a long-standing ideological conflict between the ruling BJP and the opposition.
The mention of Veer Savarkar, a controversial figure who is revered by the BJP but condemned by many others for his support of the British during the Indian independence struggle, is significant. Modi's pointed criticism of the opposition's alleged 'insult' of Savarkar serves as a reminder of the deep ideological divides in Indian politics, with both sides using historical figures to mobilize support and attack their opponents. This incident, while rooted in a concrete event – the statue collapse – has ultimately become a political battleground, reflecting the ongoing power struggle between the ruling party and the opposition.
The controversy surrounding the Shivaji Maharaj statue has highlighted the sensitivity surrounding historical figures in India and the potential for such incidents to become politicized. The opposition's call for resignations is a clear attempt to capitalize on the public's dissatisfaction, while Modi's attack on Savarkar is a blatant attempt to distract from the ruling party's own potential shortcomings. As the political climate in India continues to be volatile, it remains to be seen how this incident will further shape the landscape and influence the upcoming elections.
Source: "I Apologise At Shivaji's Feet": PM Modi In Maharashtra On Statue Collapse