PM Modi Apologizes After Collapse of Shivaji Statue, Calls Him "Our Deity"
In Short:
- PM Modi apologizes to those offended by Shivaji statue collapse
- Statue collapsed 8 months after being unveiled by the Prime Minister
- Shivaji Maharaj holds deep reverence in Maharashtra
Image Source - The Hindu
News:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered a public apology following the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue at Sindhudurg's Rajkot Fort, a mere eight months after he inaugurated it. The statue’s collapse has triggered widespread outrage in Maharashtra, where Shivaji Maharaj is not just a historical figure but a revered symbol of pride and honor.
Speaking at an event in Palghar, PM Modi expressed his deep respect for the 17th-century warrior king, stating, "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 apologize to my deity."
His apology comes as the state gears up for upcoming Assembly elections, with the ruling Mahayuti government facing criticism over the incident. The Prime Minister emphasized, "Our values are different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity... The moment I landed here, I first apologized to Shivaji Maharaj over the statue collapse. I also apologize to the people who were hurt by the collapse."
PM Modi also took a jab at the opposition, which has seized the opportunity to criticize the government. He remarked, "Some people keep abusing Veer Savarkar but are not ready to apologize for insulting him."
The incident has caused friction within the ruling alliance, composed of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar-led NCP, and the BJP, as they have responded differently to the crisis. Notably, the NCP (Ajit Pawar) protested against the statue's collapse, adding to the government's troubles.
On Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that he would not hesitate to touch the feet of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj 100 times and apologize for the statue collapse if required. He attributed the collapse to strong winds in the region, which had experienced heavy rainfall and gusty conditions last week.
At the Palghar event, PM Modi also laid the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port, a significant project estimated to cost around ₹76,000 crores. He highlighted the port's potential to become the largest in terms of depth worldwide, with the capacity to handle more containers than any other port in the country.
"This project alone is expected to bring an investment of several lakh crore rupees here. About 12 lakh employment opportunities will be created. Who had objections to this development of Maharashtra? Who were these people who did not want the youth of Maharashtra to get employment?" PM Modi said, taking a veiled swipe at the opposition.
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In addition to the port project, PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 218 fisheries projects worth around ₹1,560 crores. He urged voters not to forget those who aim to hold Maharashtra back, emphasizing the importance of continued progress for the state.