Maharashtra: 35-Ft Statue Of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Installed Last Year Collapses In Sindhudurg; Oppn Hits Out At Shinde Govt

Mumbai, August 26: A 35-foot statue of Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj collapsed on Monday (August 26) at Rajkot Fort in Malvan. The statue that collapsed was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district on December 4 last year as part of the Navy Day celebrations at the fort.

The statue collapsing within one year of installation led to angry reactions from netizens as well as opposition political leaders in Maharashtra.

"The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj erected at Sindhudurg collapsed today. Modiji had inaugurated the structure in December last year - who was the contractor? - is it correct that the work was given to a Thane based contractor? - what action will be taken against the contractor? - how much ‘khoke’ did the contractor pass on to the ‘khoke Sarkar’?," posted Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi.

"This is an insult to the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!" posted IWC Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Naik, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA from Maharashtra's Kudal Constituency, reached the Public Works Department (PWD) office and ransacked it over the statue collapse issue.

The Sindhudurg region has been facing heavy rains accompanied by strong winds over the last two-three days. However, the statue collapsing within nine months of installation has led to angry reactions from people and uneasy questions are being raised over the issue.