Shinde said- Shivaji Maharaj's statue fell due to strong wind: FIR on two including contractor; Modi had inaugurated the statue 8 months ago

CM said- Navy had designed and constructed the 35 feet high statue of Shivaji Maharaj. We will rebuild it in a strong way. PWD and Navy officials will visit Sindhudurg on Tuesday (27 August) and investigate the incident.

The statue of Shivaji Maharaj built in Rajkot Fort in coastal Sindhudurg district collapsed at 1 pm on Monday (26 August). Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated it on Navy Day on December 4, 2023. Police have registered an FIR against contractor Jaideep Apte and structural consultant Chetan Patil in the case.

PWD Minister said- Navy was informed about rusting of steel
PWD Minister in Maharashtra Government and BJP leader Ravindra Chavan said that Maharashtra Government had given Rs 2.36 crore to Navy for the installation of Shivaji Maharaj's statue. However, the entire process of selection of artist to make the statue and its design was done by Navy.

Chavan said that the order to build the statue was given on September 8, 2023. The steel used in the statue had started rusting. The PWD had already written a letter to the Navy officials informing them about this and instructed them to take concrete steps.

Navy appointed a team for investigation
Indian Navy has ordered an investigation into the incident of collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Navy issued a statement late on Monday (26 August).

It said, 'We have appointed a team to immediately investigate the cause of the fall of the statue and to repair and re-install the statue as soon as possible.'

Opposition said - The memorial was built in a hurry for the elections.
After the incident, many opposition parties including NCP (Sharad faction), Shiv Sena (UBT) criticized the NDA government. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray alleged that Chhatrapati Shivaji's memorial was built in a hurry due to the elections. Its quality was ignored. Read the statements of the leaders...

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray : In a Marathi post on X, Thackeray wrote, 'Chhatrapati Shivaji's memorial was built in a hurry in view of the elections, due to which it collapsed in just 8 months. The motive behind this was only to use the image of Shivaji Maharaj. The Mindhe government and the poisonous snake called BJP, who insulted Shivaji, will now have to bite.'

NCP (Sharad faction) MP Supriya Sule: Supriya wrote in Marathi on X, 'When the Prime Minister of the country inaugurates a memorial, people are sure that the work will be of high quality. However, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj installed in Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Sindhudurg collapsed within a year. This is an insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji. Obviously the work was of poor quality. This is a blatant betrayal of the Prime Minister and the public.'

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi: Owaisi wrote in a post on X, 'This is a reflection of the poor quality of infrastructure built by the Modi government. Shivaji was a symbol of equality and secularism, the demolition of his statue is an example of Modi's lack of commitment to Shivaji's vision.'