Mumbai, September 1: Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Nana Patole, three prominent members of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, have joined the massive “Jode Maro” protest in Mumbai in response to the fall of Chhattrapati Shivaji’s 35-foot statue at Malvan in Sindhudurg.
Fall of Chhattrapati Shivaji’s 35-foot statue has created political uproar in Maharashtra
The Eknath Shinde government has increased security for the protest march, which is taking place from Hutatma Chowk in the Fort area to the Gateway of India.
At the Gateway of India, an adequate number of police personnel of security forces has assembled. Due to concerns for law and order, the monument has also been closed to visitors.
In response to the opposition’s agitation, the ruling BJP has scheduled a march of its own.
The opposition named their agitation “jode maro” protest—which translates to “hit with footwear”. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has tweeted that it is coming to bow at Shivaji’s feet in order to “awaken the pride of Maharashtra” and is urging people to join the march. The NCP side led by Sharad Pawar has declared that “corrupt Shivdrohis” will not be pardoned. According to the Congress state unit, the march is intended to punish “Shivdrohis” for their poor work, corruption, and insults towards Shivaji.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivaji statue barely eight months ago, and its collapse has caused a major political controversy in Maharashtra.
The Navy managed the project alongside with the state government. The project’s contractor and structural consultant have been taken into custody by the police. They face charges for culpable homicide, attempt to murder, and endangering the life or safety of others.
Prime Minister Modi has expressed regret to the public for the statue’s collapse in the midst of the political reaction. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is more than just a name or a monarch. He is a god in our eyes. I apologize to my god and bow my head at his feet today. I also apologize to people who were hurt by the fall.” He remarked
BJP questions the need of protest
According to Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the opposition is making the matter more politicized. “Leaders of the Congress and NCP have been insulting Shivaji Maharaj for over 50 years. Was there ever anything Indira Gandhi said about Shivaji Maharaj from Red Fort? Will the Congress issue an apology? Although PM Modi has apologized, Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders are politicizing the matter in light of the impending polls.”
Keshav Upadhye, the state BJP spokesperson, earlier claimed that the opposition’s devotion to Shivaji is fake.
According to a BJP spokesman, the party’s youth wing would “expose” the opposition by holding protests in front of Shivaji Maharaj sculptures around Maharashtra. He said that the state’s prior Congress-led administrations did nothing to protect Shivaji’s forts.
To counter the INDIA bloc agitation, the BJP will be conducting a protest in Dadar, Mumbai, led by Ashish Shelar, the chief of the city party.
