I bow my head in apology: Modi on Shivaji statue collapse

Mumbai, NT Bureau: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday apologised for the collapse of a statue of 17th-century ruler Shivaji in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.

The 35-foot statue at the Rajkot Fort in the Malvan region collapsed on Monday afternoon amid heavy rainfall and strong winds. It was inaugurated by the prime minister on Navy Day in December. While speaking at a public gathering in Palghar on Friday, Modi said that Shivaji was not just a ruler.

He added: “I extend my apologies to all those who worship Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their revered deity. I know their sentiments are hurt.”

Modi said that when the Bharatiya Janata Party first named him as a candidatefor the post of prime minister, he had visited Raigad Fort. Shivaji had made this fort his capital in 1674.

“I bowed before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue [at Raigad Fort] and sought his blessings,” the prime minister said. The Opposition in Maharashtra had said that the statue’s collapse was an insult to Shivaji.

Also, the Opposition called the gesture just a pretense and claimed that he was forced to apologise due to the strong protest by the people of Maharashtra.

The strong protest from the people of Maharashtra and the opposition today forced Narendra Modi to apologise to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But this is not an apology, it is pretence. —Congress

"The strong protest from the people of Maharashtra and the opposition today forced Narendra Modi to apologise to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. But this is not an apology, it is a pretence," Congress said on X.

"Maharashtra will neither forget nor forgive this insult to Raje," it added.

“It is obvious that the work of this statue was of poor quality, which is why the statue collapsed before completing a year,” said Supriya Sule, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar).

“This is an open deception by the prime minister. There is a need for a thorough investigation to look into the inferior quality of the statue.” The opposition also doubled down on its demand for the removal of CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis of Maharashtra from their constitutional responsibilities.

"If Modi is really apologising for this unpardonable sin, then he should remove the CM and deputy CM of Maharashtra from their posts," the Congress said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) also reacted strongly saying the apology is not enough. Party spokesperson Anand Dubey said, "If any corruption is found regarding his statue, his statue is desecrated, then an apology will not suffice, your CM and deputy CM should resign, minister Kesarkar should be suspended, because the question is not just about statue, the question is about our pride."