Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Statue Collapse: 2 Booked, Unanswered Questions & Attack On Mahayuti Ahead Of Polls

Following the collapse of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort, the Malvan Police has filed a First Information Report (FIR), naming the owner of the firm responsible for the upkeep, Jaideep Apte, and the structural consultant, Chetan Patil. The men are expected to be arrested soon.

The FIR has been filed based on a complaint lodged by the Assistant Engineer of the Public Works Sub-Division in Malvan, under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, including sections 109, 110, 125, 318, and 3 (5) of the Public Property Damage Prevention Act, 1984.

According to the state government, the maintenance and upkeep of the statue were the responsibility of the Navy. The Navy had contracted Apte’s Messrs Artistry, while Patil served as the structural consultant.

COLLAPSE WITHIN 8 MONTHS OF INAUGURATION

The statue, a 35-foot installation, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2023, during the Navy Day celebrations. However, the collapse within eight months has raised concerns about the quality of the construction.

Reports indicate that the statue had begun to rust just days before it collapsed. On noticing this, the Public Works Department (PWD) promptly informed the Navy in writing. However, despite the warning, adequate measures were not taken.

The opposition has criticised both the state and central governments for their alleged negligence.

NO INVOLVEMENT WITH STATUE: PATIL

Patil has denied all allegations. Speaking to a local news outlet, he clarified that he was not responsible for the entire structural design of the statue.

“I was only involved in designing the pedestal for the statue," Patil said. He further explained that the actual construction of the statue was carried out by a company based in Thane. “I had no involvement with the statue itself," he said.

Despite multiple attempts by News18 to speak to Apte, who is also the sculptor of the statue, he remained unavailable.

WAR OF WORDS

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said the statue was made by the Indian Navy and they had only finalised the design. “When I spoke to the collector, he said the statue was damaged due to gusty winds at a speed of 44-50km. We will erect the statue there again."

Congress leader and former Mos Home Satej Patil told News18: “The collapse of the Chhatrapati Maharaj’s statue at Malvan is a matter of practical and symbolic importance. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj holds a revered place in Indian history, and any monument in his honour should be constructed with utmost care and respect. The government’s handling of this incident raises serious questions about project management, transparency, and the respect afforded to both historical figures and national institutions. We strongly oppose the Mahayuti government’s apparent attempt to save face by casting aspersions on the Indian Navy. This approach not only demonstrates a lack of accountability for a significant failure but also shows disrespect to an institution that has long served as a pillar of national security and pride."

Satej added: “The Navy has distinguished itself through numerous successful projects, including INS Vikrant, INS Kattabomman, INS Kadamba, etc. These achievements have cemented the Navy’s reputation as a benchmark for engineering excellence across various industries. Indeed, the Indian Armed Forces as a whole are respected nationwide for their exemplary quality of service in all aspects of their operations."

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

The incident has sparked widespread outrage and debate over accountability and the quality of public projects.

Some questions still remain unanswered:

• What role did the Navy have in the construction, supervision or contractor selection?
• Who was responsible for vetting and selecting the contractor?
• What criteria were used in this selection process, especially considering reports of the contractor’s limited experience with large-scale monuments?
• How was a project of this magnitude completed in just six months, when industry standards suggest a much longer timeframe?
• Were proper quality control measures implemented, and if so, by whom?
• Were all required regulatory steps followed during the construction process?

POLL TOLL?

The issue may pose trouble to the Mahayuti government, which is facing a hard time tackling the Maratha reservation and has already seen its impact during the recently held Lok Sabha elections.

The collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue, ahead of the Assembly elections, has not gone down well within the people of Maharashtra and especially the Maratha community.