In a significant gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a public apology for the recent collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort. Speaking in Maharashtra’s Palghar, PM Modi expressed his regret, stating, “The moment I landed here, I first apologised to Shivaji over the statue collapse. I also apologise to the people who were hurt by the collapse.”
The 35-foot-tall statue, inaugurated just eight months ago, fell on August 26 in Sindhudurg district. The statue was intended to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy in maritime defense and its connection to the modern Indian Navy. Critics have pointed to rusting nuts and bolts as a risk to the statue’s stability, which was reportedly ignored by officials.
PM Modi’s apology was aimed at those who view Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a deity and were deeply distressed by the incident. “For us, nothing is bigger than our deity,” he said, underscoring the importance of honoring cultural and historical symbols.
The collapse has sparked controversy and criticism. The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has accused the ruling government of corruption and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. In response, Eknath Shinde has offered to apologize 100 times, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
Additionally, PM Modi used the occasion to indirectly criticize the Opposition, specifically Rahul Gandhi, who is embroiled in a criminal defamation case related to Veer Savarkar. “Our values are different. We are not those people who keep abusing and insulting the great son of Mother India,” Modi remarked, in a veiled reference to Gandhi’s legal troubles and his comments on Savarkar.
Sources By Agencies
