An uproar has engulfed Maharashtra following the collapse of a newly inaugurated statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Malvan's Rajkot Fort on August 26. Condemning the incident, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has called for a 'Jode Mara' (shoe-beating) protest against the Maharashtra government, accusing it of corruption and negligence.
The MVA, comprising the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, has organized the protest for Sunday, September 1, in Mumbai. According to an image shared by a Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson, the protestors plan to march from Hutatma Chowk in South Mumbai to the Gateway of India, passing through Balasaheb Thackeray Chowk.
Despite the planned protest, reports indicate that the Mumbai police have yet to grant permission for the demonstration. MVA leaders are expected to visit the Mumbai police headquarters on August 31 to seek approval for the event.
The protest is being organized in response to what the MVA describes as the government's corruption and poor construction practices. The 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, constructed by the Indian Navy and inaugurated on December 4, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, collapsed just eight months after its installation. The incident has sparked widespread anger and criticism of the Mahayuti government, with many questioning the quality of the construction and the oversight involved.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the MVA's protest aims to hold the government accountable for what they see as a significant failure in preserving the legacy of one of Maharashtra's most revered historical figures.
