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. The Eknath Shinde government has stepped up security for the protest march, which will take place from Hatatma Chowk in the Fort area to the Gateway of India. At the Gateway of India, a sizable contingent of security force police officers 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 and questioned the protest’s relevance. Calling their agitation “jode maro” protest—which translates to “hit with footwear”—is the opposition bloc. The Shiv Sena (UBT) has tweeted that it is coming to bend 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 in conjunction 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 at murder, and endangering the life or safety of another person.