Modi's Maharashtra Visit Sparks Congress Protest Over Shivaji Statue Collapse

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Maharashtra triggered protests from the state Congress unit, demanding an apology over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg. Key Congress leaders were detained, and posters demanding an apology were displayed across Mumbai. Arrests have been made in connection with the statue's collapse.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his tour of Maharashtra, the state Congress unit staged a protest against both state and central governments over the destruction of the Shivaji Maharaj statue in Sindhudurg. Youth Congress leaders and other party workers were detained by Mumbai police on Friday while protesting Modi's visit, demanding a public apology from him for the collapse of the statue.

Numerous posters calling for the Prime Minister's apology were put up in various locations by the Congress. These posters showed the PM inaugurating the statue alongside an image of the collapsed structure. Mumbai Congress President and Lok Sabha MP Varsha Gaekwad was seen at Shivaji Park in Dadar with a miniature statue of Shivaji Maharaj as a sign of protest.

Stepping up her criticism of PM Modi, Varsha Gaikwad demanded an apology from him over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Malvan, Maharashtra. She questioned the PM about the bhumi-pujan ceremony he conducted for the statue, highlighting the rapid collapse of the statue and alleging corruption.

Earlier in the day, Chetan Patil, the structural consultant for the Shivaji Maharaj statue that collapsed, was arrested by Kolhapur Police. After a midnight operation, Patil was detained and handed over to Sindhudurg Police, who will continue the investigation. Another contractor has also been arrested in relation to the case.

The 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which collapsed on August 26, had been unveiled on December 4 last year during the Navy Day celebrations in Sindhudurg. The statue was meant to honor Shivaji Maharaj's legacy and highlight his connection to the Indian Navy.

(With inputs from agencies.)