"Bow My Head At Shivaji's Feet, Seek Forgiveness": PM On Statue Collapse

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji and all those who were hurt by the collapse of the legendary ruler’s statue at Rajkot Fort.

“The moment I landed here, I first apologised to Shivaji over the statue collapse. I also apologise to the people who were hurt by the collapse,” PM Modi said in Maharashtra’s Palghar.

“Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their deity and have been deeply hurt, I bow my head and apologise to them. Our values ​​are different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity,” he added.

PM Modi had unveiled the statue last year during the Navy Day celebrations in December. The statue was aimed at honouring the legacy of the Maratha Navy and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj towards maritime defence and security, and its historical linkage with the modern Indian Navy.

The Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance has accused the ruling government of corruption in the matter of the statue construction and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

A joint technical committee headed by the Indian Navy with representatives from the Maharashtra Government and technical experts is being formed to investigate the unfortunate damage.