Chhatrapati statue collapses, descendent criticizes 'hasty' construction

A 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, erected at the Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district, collapsed today, sparking outrage and criticism from various quarters, particularly the Opposition.

The statue, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, fell to the ground in the afternoon, breaking into several pieces, leaving only the metal feet intact.

The collapse has led to severe criticism of the state government, with allegations that it neglected the quality of the work and rushed the project to meet the inauguration deadline. The district has been experiencing heavy rains for the past three days, and officials have stated that experts will be brought in to determine the exact cause of the statue's collapse.

Chhatrapati Yuvraj Sambhajiraje of Kolhapur, the 13th direct descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, expressed his frustration over the incident.

He criticized the Eknath Shinde-led MahaYuti government, stating, "The statue, hastily erected to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, has collapsed. At the time, we wrote to the Prime Minister, demanding a change in the statue, which was not only shapeless but also erected without proper care."

Yuvraj Sambhajiraje added, "It is deeply unfortunate that in Maharashtra, a memorial to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has collapsed within a year. If we cannot preserve such memorials, how can we talk about safeguarding Maharaj's forts?"

Opposition leaders have also voiced their concerns. NCP (Sharad Pawar) state president Jayant Patil accused the Maharashtra government of prioritizing event management over quality. He said, "The state government is responsible for this collapse. It focused on organizing a high-profile event for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil the statue, but paid little attention to the actual construction quality. This government is more interested in issuing new tenders and accepting commissions."

In response, Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar acknowledged the incident, stating that he did not have all the details but assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted. He quoted PWD Minister Ravindra Chavan, who is also the guardian minister of Sindhudurg district, saying, "We are committed to erecting a new statue at the same location. This statue, unveiled by PM Modi, was a tribute to Shivaji Maharaj's visionary efforts in building a sea fort. We will take all necessary steps to address this matter promptly and effectively."

The Rajkot Fort, where the statue was located, is situated on a rocky stretch approximately 3 km from the historic Sindhudurg Fort.