Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly apologized for the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp critique during his visit to the state.
Speaking at an event in Sangli on September 5, Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister’s apology, asking, “I want to ask the Prime Minister what he is sorry for. Is it because the contract to make the Shivaji statue was given to an RSS person who had no merit, or for the corruption in the process?” He went on to call the incident an “insult to Shivaji Maharaj” and demanded a broader apology to not only the revered historical figure but also to the people of Maharashtra.
The collapse of the 35-foot statue, which was unveiled by PM Modi on December 4, 2023, on the occasion of Navy Day, has drawn widespread criticism. The structure, meant to honor the 17th-century Maratha warrior, fell just nine months after its inauguration. Opposition parties have seized on the incident, blaming poor planning and corruption in the construction process.
In his response during a recent visit to Maharashtra, PM Modi stated, “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,” addressing the controversy surrounding the incident.