An FIR has been lodged against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil following the collapse of the 35-foot-tall Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg district on Monday. The Sindhudurg Police have charged the individuals under Sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Unveiled eight months ago on Navy Day as a tribute to the people of Sindhudurg, the statue has now fallen. In response, the Indian Navy has promised to investigate the incident thoroughly. A statement from the Navy indicated that a team has been assigned to determine the cause of the collapse, repair, and restore the statue in coordination with state officials and specialists.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has attributed the collapse to strong winds and pledged a comprehensive inquiry into the event. He assured that the Maharashtra government will ascertain the reasons behind the incident and work towards reinstalling the statue at its original location.
Public Works Minister Ravindra Chavan, who visited the site immediately after the incident, will be leading the investigation under Shinde’s directive. The Indian Navy has committed to assisting in both the restoration efforts and the investigation.
The statue, initially unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajkot Fort, Sindhudurg, on December 4, 2023, has sparked controversy. Opposition parties have demanded accountability from the contractor. Supriya Sule, MP from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has called for the contractor to be blacklisted and emphasized the need for a detailed probe into the statue’s quality.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has also criticized the manner in which the statue was inaugurated, suggesting that the haste was politically motivated and ultimately disrespectful to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan unveiled in December collapses due to ‘strong winds’
The collapse of a 35-foot statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan, which had been unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last December, has sparked significant controversy and embarrassment for both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state and central governments. The statue, which fell on Monday, appears to have been brought down by strong winds, with gusts reportedly exceeding 45 km/h in the area.
The incident has triggered a series of reactions, with the Opposition demanding accountability for what they deem as substandard workmanship. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised that the state government will oversee the reconstruction of the statue.
Sindhudurg district collector Kishor Tawade reported that the statue collapsed amid heavy rains and gusty winds, adding that the local authorities are working to address the situation. The statue was initially erected by the Indian Navy and assembled on-site after being transported in pieces. According to local officials, the statue’s installation was rushed due to the Navy Day celebrations, and concerns about its quality and maintenance had been previously raised.
A letter from the Public Works Department (PWD) dated August 20 highlighted issues with rusting bolts due to the salty sea breeze and expressed concerns about the statue’s condition. This letter was sent to various local authorities, including the Sindhudurg collector and police superintendent. Despite maintenance efforts by sculptor Jaydeep Apte, the statue’s collapse has led to an FIR being filed against both Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil for alleged negligence.
The Indian Navy has committed to investigating the cause of the collapse in collaboration with state officials and experts. They have pledged to repair, restore, and reinstall the statue as soon as possible.
Political reactions have been swift and critical. Opposition parties have seized on the incident to criticize the state government. Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, led by local MLA Vaibhav Naik, vandalized the local PWD office, accusing the authorities of poor workmanship and disrespect towards Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue . Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule has called for a thorough inquiry, emphasizing that the statue’s failure to withstand environmental conditions reflects poorly on the government’s planning and execution.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has accused the Shinde government of prioritizing political gains over quality and integrity, suggesting that the statue’s hurried construction, in anticipation of the Lok Sabha elections, led to its premature collapse. Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant has condemned the incident as emblematic of broader issues of corruption and poor governance under the BJP.
In response, Chief Minister Shinde has assured that the government will take necessary steps to re-erect the statue, emphasizing respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and calling for calm. He has instructed Public Works Minister Ravindra Chavan to convene a meeting to address the situation and oversee the reconstruction efforts, with assistance from naval officers.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapses in Maharashtra: Indian Navy reacts; Opposition asks ‘who was the contractor?’
On Monday, the 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, for Navy Day, collapsed in Malvan, Maharashtra. The Indian Navy has expressed significant concern over the incident and has mobilized a team to investigate the cause and oversee the repair and restoration of the statue.
The Indian Navy’s statement emphasizes the seriousness of the situation: “The Indian Navy notes with deep concern the damage caused to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue unveiled on Navy Day as a tribute to Sindhudurg. We are working closely with the State Government and specialists to investigate this unfortunate event and to promptly initiate repair and restoration efforts.”
In response to the incident, various political figures have voiced their concerns. Priyanka Chaturvedi raised questions on social media, demanding accountability from the contractor and questioning the overall management of the project. She inquired about the contractor’s identity, the quality of the work, and the financial dealings involved.
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen president Asaduddin Owaisi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, linking the statue’s collapse to broader issues of infrastructure quality under the current administration. Owaisi argued that the incident reflects poorly on Modi’s commitment to the ideals represented by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
On the ground, Maharashtra officials are assessing the situation. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described the collapse as “unfortunate” and committed to determining the cause and re-installing the statue. Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar confirmed that a thorough investigation will be conducted, as per Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Ravindra Chavan’s assurances.
Sindhudurg police have filed an FIR against contractor Jaydeep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil under Sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for alleged negligence.
In other political news, Lok Sabha MP Charanjit Singh Channi has moved a notice for a breach of privilege motion against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This follows Modi’s sharing of BJP MP Anurag Thakur’s speech on social media, despite some parts of it being expunged from the parliamentary record. According to Rule 222, Channi’s notice requires the Speaker’s consent to proceed.
A breach of privilege occurs when a member’s rights or reputation are compromised, or if there is an obstruction in their parliamentary duties. Such complaints are submitted to the Speaker or Chairman of the Rajya Sabha for review and action.