Verbal Clash Escalates Between Mahayuti and MVA Over Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Collapse

The ongoing war fight of words in between the Maharashtra Political parties Mahayuti alliance and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue in Malvan, Sindhudurg, on August 26, this problem now reached a new level of intensity. The name of two Indian historical figures Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar, have now been drawn into the fray, further fueling the political tension.

MVA Stages “Jode Mara” Protest, Demands Arrests for Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Collapse

On Sunday, the prominent party of MVA , Shive sena (UBT) Staged a Protest “Jode Mara” (hit with a shoe) in Mumbai, demanding the arrest of the for the statue’s collapse. The incident got sparked across the state, prompting calls for swift action against those involved.

Fadnavis Accuses Nehru of Insulting Shivaji Maharaj in The Discovery of India

During the protest, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis countered the MVA’s demands by invoking Pandit Nehru, accusing India’s first Prime Minister of disrespecting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his book, The Discovery of India. “The agitation is purely political. The MVA and Congress have never truly respected Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Nehru ji insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in The Discovery of India. Will Congress and MVA apologize for it?” Fadnavis questioned. He also criticized Congress for allegedly spreading the misconception that Shivaji Maharaj looted Surat, clarifying that Shivaji only collected funds for Swarajya and did not harm the common people.

The Congress quickly dismissed Fadnavis’s allegations as baseless misinformation. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera responded, “In 1936, Pandit Nehru wrote to historian PR Devgirikar seeking references and corrected the book in its second edition. Nehru accepted his mistake and made corrections because he had written the first edition from prison without adequate resources.”

Pawar Criticizes Modi for Comparing Shivaji Maharaj with Savarkar

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar also weighed in, criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for drawing comparisons between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and VD Savarkar. Pawar expressed his disapproval in a speech at the YB Chavan Centre, where he accused Modi of promoting fake news and using apologies to deflect criticism. “PM Modi allegedly apologized for the statue’s fall, but no apology has been issued for his remarks on Savarkar. What is the issue here? How can Shivaji Maharaj and Savarkar even be compared?” Pawar asked.

Last week, at the foundation stone laying ceremony at Vadhvan port in Palghar district, Prime Minister Modi tried to address the controversy. “For me, my colleagues, and everyone else, Shivaji Maharaj is not just a king but a revered figure. Today, I bow at his feet and apologize to my god,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to target Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, who has allegedly criticized Savarkar and refused to apologise. “We are not the ones who constantly insult and abuse Veer Savarkar, hurting the sentiments of patriots. Despite this, they refuse to apologize and instead head to court,” Modi said.

In response, state Congress chief Nana Patole questioned the comparison and criticized Modi’s apology. “How can PM Modi even think of comparing Shivaji Maharaj and Savarkar? Savarkar should not have included his half-hearted apology,” Patole asserted. As the political battle over the demolition of the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue continues, it is clear that this issue is yet to be fully resolved. With eminent personalities like Nehru and Savarkar now involved in the debate, the tension between the Mahayuti alliance and the MVA is likely to escalate significantly in the coming days.

News Source: The Indian Express