Mumbai: Leaders of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharastra held a protest march in Mumbai over the recent collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s 35-foot statue in Sindhudurg district of the state. The state government has deployed heavy security ahead of the march in the city.
Among top MVA leaders, who participated in the event, include Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar and state Congress president Nana Patole. The march started from Hutatma Chowk in the Fort area and ended at the Gateway of India, which was closed to tourists citing the law and order situation.
MVA bloc names agitation as ‘jode maro’ protest
Notably, the bloc named the agitation as a ‘jode maro’ protest. Urging the people to join the protest march in last numbers, the Shiv Sena (UBT) shared a message on X earlier saying that the bloc will bow at the feet of Chhatrapati Shivaji to “awaken the pride of Maharashtra”. Apart from Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) also said that there is no forgiveness for “corrupt Shivdrohis”. The Congress too said that the MVA march was to teach lessons to those who did shoddy work on the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji and committed corruption.
The statue was unveiled last year
Earlier, the statue of 17th century Maratha warrior king fell in the Sindhudurg district on August 26. The statue was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year on December 4, on the occasion of Navy Day. The incident led to massive protests in the state. Last Friday, PM Modi while attending an event in Maharashtra’s Palghar district apologised for the incident saying, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name for me. For us Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is our idol. Whatever happened in Sindhudurg a few days ago, today I bow my head and place my head at the feet of my beloved god Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and ask for forgiveness.”
