Top leaders from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, including Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray, and Nana Patole, have joined for a significant protest in Mumbai over the recent collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhattrapati Shivaji in Malvan at Sindhudurg.
The protest march, set to proceed from Hutatma Chowk in the Fort area to the Gateway of India, has seen extensive security measures.
The Eknath Shinde-led government has deployed a substantial number of police personnel to manage the situation, and the Gateway of India has been closed to tourists as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order.
The opposition bloc named its protest the "jode maro" protest, which means "hit with footwear." The Shiv Sena (UBT) has called on people to join the march, tweeting that it is coming to bend at Shivaji's feet to "awaken the pride of Maharashtra."
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the protest, questioning its relevance, and has planned its own counter-march.
In response, the Shiv Sena, a key player in the MVA, has used social media to rally support, emphasizing their intent to honor Shivaji Maharaj and reignite Maharashtra's pride.
Similarly, the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said there is no forgiveness for "corrupt Shivdrohis."
The Congress state unit has joined the voices, stating the march as a necessary action to hold accountable those responsible for corruption and an insult to Shivaji Maharaj.
The controversy begins with the statue's collapse, which was inaugurated just eight months before by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The project was overseen by the Navy in coordination with the state government, and legal action has already been taken against the project's structural consultant and contractor, who face charges related to endangering life and safety.
They have been charged under sections of attempt to murder, culpable homicide, and act endangering the life and safety of others.
Amid the political uproar, PM Modi has issued a public apology for the statue's collapse, expressing deep regret and reverence for Shivaji Maharaj.
"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, He is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologize to my deity. I also apologize to the people hurt by the collapse, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has accused the opposition of politicizing the issue, claiming that they are using the incident to further their agendas with elections approaching.
He said that previous Congress leaders, such as Indira Gandhi, did not address Shivaji Maharaj in their speeches from Red Fort, questioning whether the Congress would offer an apology for their historical neglect.
BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye criticized the opposition's protest as insincere, suggesting that the prime minister’s apology should suffice.
"Is the PM's apology not enough? Rahul Gandhi had also apologized for his comments on the Rafale episode. Will they (MVA) stage a similar protest for these apologies?" Upadhye questioned.
The BJP has announced that its youth wing will organize protests near Shivaji Maharaj statues led by city party chief Ashish Shelar throughout Maharashtra to challenge the opposition's stance.
