Uddhav Thackeray denounces PM Modi’s apology over Shivaji Statue collapse

Mumbai, September 1 2024 : During a protest organized by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray harshly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent apology concerning the collapse of a statue of Maratha icon Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Thackeray asserted that the apology was laced with arrogance and accused Modi of using it to obscure underlying corruption. Thackeray, addressing the gathered protesters, stated, “There was an unmistakable hint of arrogance on Prime Minister Modi’s face when he apologized. His apology is nothing more than a smokescreen to conceal the corruption that led to the collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue.” He further contended that the quality of various projects overseen by Modi, including the Ram temple, Parliament House, and the Shivaji Maharaj statue, has been substandard.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader conveyed that the people of Maharashtra would not accept Modi’s apology and vowed that the ruling party would face repercussions in upcoming elections. Thackeray’s remarks were delivered during a march from Hutatma Chowk to the Gateway of India, aimed at protesting the statue’s collapse in Sindhudurg district. The statue, which was unveiled by Modi on December 4, 2023, during Navy Day celebrations, has become a focal point of controversy following its recent collapse. In response, Thackeray dismissed the BJP’s counter-protest as irrelevant, asserting, “Whatever is happening in Maharashtra is not politics. The BJP’s protests against the MVA are unwarranted. We are telling them to leave India.”

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Sharad Pawar also weighed in, criticizing the ruling party’s handling of the situation. Pawar suggested that the collapse of the statue, among other incidents, has been a disservice to the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. “There is a prevailing sentiment that corruption played a role in the project’s failure, which constitutes an insult to Shivaji Maharaj,” Pawar remarked. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed his dismay at the politicization of the issue. Shinde emphasized that Shivaji Maharaj should not be turned into a political weapon and described the situation as a matter of identity and faith. He criticized the opposition for leveraging the incident for political gain, asserting that the people of Maharashtra would hold them accountable in the upcoming elections.