Shivaji statue collapse: MVA holds ‘Jode Maro Andolan’, security heightened in Mumbai

The opposition- Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance in Mumbai is undertaking a protest march from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India against the recent collapse of a statue of Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in Malvan town of the Sindhudurg district.  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the largest constituent of the ruling three-party Mahayuti coalition, will stage a counter-demonstration against the ‘politicisation’ of the issue.

The MVA is holding a statewide ‘Jode Mara’ (Hit them with shoes) agitation against the ruling alliance, alleging corruption in the construction of the statue at Rajkot Fort, which was unveiled by prime minister Narendra Modi in December.  A huge posse of police personnel of security forces has gathered at the Gateway of India. The monument has also been shut for tourists, citing law and order.

The statue, which was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi just eight months ago, has become the subject of a political tussle. The MVA has targeted the ruling Mahayuti government over an emotive issue – given Shivaji Maharaj’s status as a Maratha icon – and levelled allegations of corruption in the construction and maintenance of the statue against the state government.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut pointed out that protests were being allowed in West Bengal even though they were against the ruling TMC. “Moreover, we are holding a protest on Sunday, a holiday,” he said. “We don’t require any permission to hold a protest; we are applying for it just as a matter of protocol.”