Shivaji statue collapse: MVA holds 'Jode maro andolan'; BJP counter-protests
The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising the Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar), staged a protest in Mumbai on Sunday. The demonstration, dubbed "Jode Maro Andolan" (Hit them with shoes protest), was held in response to the recent collapse of a statue of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan town. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also organized a counter-protest against what it perceives as the politicization of this issue.
MVA rally proceeds despite police denial
The MVA rally proceeded from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, despite the police not granting permission. It had previously stated that they would hold the rally regardless of permission being denied, claiming that it was sought "only as a matter of protocol." "With the collapse of the statue, our devotion, honor and self-respect collapsed and fell there," Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha member Arvind Sawant stated.
Sawant criticizes police action and PM's apology
Sawant also criticized the police for their actions, stating, "We are being stopped in our own Maharashtra by our own police. I have never seen police being so 'helpless.'" He further questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's apology for the statue collapse, suggesting it was politically motivated. The statue had been inaugurated by PM Modi on Navy Day in December last year, but collapsed last week.
BJP counter-protests against MVA
Statue collapse sparks political controversy in Maharashtra
The statue's collapse has sparked a political controversy in Maharashtra, with the opposition accusing the government of negligence. The NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) said there is no forgiveness for "corrupt Shivdrohis," while the Congress said the march is intended to deliver a lesson to "Shivdrohis" who committed corruption and insulted Shivaji. The state government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, which will be led by retired high court judge Justice KU Chandiwal.
