Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a heartfelt apology to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on Friday following the collapse of a 35-foot-tall statue of the Maratha warrior at Rajkot Fort in Sindhudurg earlier this week. The statue, which was unveiled by PM Modi last year on the occasion of Indian Navy Day, collapsed on August 26.
Addressing the foundation stone-laying event of the Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar district, the prime minister expressed deep remorse over the incident. “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or a king. For us, he is our deity. Today, I bow my head at his feet and apologise to my deity,” Modi said during his speech.
The prime minister also extended his apology to the followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, acknowledging the deep emotional connection many have with the revered Maratha king. “Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to be their Aaradhya Dev, I bow my head and apologize to those who have been deeply hurt by this incident. My values are different. For me, there is nothing greater than my Aaradhya Dev,” he added.
The collapse of the statue, which was designed and constructed by the Indian Navy, has sparked widespread concern. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed that the Indian Navy has ordered an investigation into the incident. The Maharashtra Public Works Department (PWD) had reportedly raised concerns over rust gathering on the statue just days before the collapse, suggesting permanent measures in a letter sent to a Naval official.
In a related development, structural consultant Chetan Patil, named in the FIR registered in connection with the collapse, was arrested in Kolhapur on Thursday night. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit stated that Patil has been handed over to the Sindhudurg police for further investigation.
During his address, Prime Minister Modi also took a swipe at opposition leaders for their criticism of freedom fighter and Hindutva ideologue Veer Savarkar. “Our values are different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity. Some people keep abusing Veer Savarkar but are not ready to apologise for insulting him. They are ready to go to the courts and fight,” Modi remarked, in an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is currently fighting a criminal defamation case filed by Veer Savarkar’s grandson, Satyaki Savarkar. The case relates to allegations made by Gandhi against the Hindutva ideologue during an address in London.
The statue collapse has led to calls for accountability, and the investigation ordered by the Indian Navy is expected to shed light on the cause of the structural failure.
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