After 'monumental' collapse, now a 100-foot statue of Shivaji proposed at Sindhudurg

Hours after a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg on Monday and despite facing flak over the quality of the construction of the monument, Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar expressed his disappointment but proposed that a new 100-foot statue be constructed in its place. 

Kesarkar said he would consult with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to prepare the necessary estimates for the new statue.

Kesarkar stated, "I haven't visited the site yet, but it's important to note that this statue was erected by the Navy to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is renowned as the first naval king. While the current situation is unfortunate, there is an opportunity for a positive development. The public has expressed a desire for a 100-foot statue, and I will discuss this with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to finalize the plans."

"If this statue has indeed fallen, it makes sense to replace it with a 100-foot-tall one. That is my perspective," he added.

The statue's collapse has sparked significant criticism. UBT Sena MLA Aditya Thackeray accused the BJP of arrogance, attributing the incident to the hasty construction driven by election concerns. 

Thackeray argued that the BJP’s approach, which overlooked local input and quality, led to the premature failure of the memorial. 
"We will not tolerate any disrespect toward Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is a revered figure in Maharashtra. The statue, hastily constructed and inaugurated by Modi ji, collapsed within just eight months. This reflects the BJP's arrogance and poor quality of work," Thackeray posted on X.

Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar has called for a thorough investigation into the incident. "The statue's condition after just eight months is troubling. This situation demands a detailed inquiry. The government must be held accountable for its failure to uphold Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy. The contractor involved should be blacklisted, and all current work with them should be halted. Those responsible for this failure must face consequences," Wadettiwar said.

In response to the incident, local police have filed an FIR against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The incident has drawn criticism from opposition parties, who have accused the state government of poor infrastructure management. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav both criticized the BJP, with Yadav highlighting a pattern of corruption in BJP-led projects.

The Indian Navy, which had dedicated the statue to Sindhudurg's citizens on Navy Day, expressed deep concern over the damage. The statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, on December 4, 2023.

ANI