Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Collapses, Descendant Chhatrapati Yuvraj Sambhajiraje Calls It “Erected In Haste

The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaji, which was constructed with bronze, suddenly fell and broke into several pieces. The incident occurred at the Rajkot Fort in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg. The statue, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023, collapsed, drawing the ire of the Opposition.

They criticized the state government for allegedly neglecting the quality of work. The 35-foot statue collapsed in the afternoon, and officials stated that experts would determine the exact cause of the collapse. Heavy rains in the district over the past three days may have contributed to the incident.

Chhatrapati Yuvraj Sambhajiraje of Kolhapur, a direct descendent of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, criticized the haste with which the statue was erected, and claimed that it was shapeless and not executed according to proper sculpture standards. Yuvraj Sambhajiraje strongly expressed his disappointment, asserting that a memorial for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should not collapse within a year. He criticized the Maharashtra government for focusing on conducting a high-profile event instead of ensuring quality and proper care for the statue.

Following the collapse, Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted, and a commitment was made to erect a new statue at the same location. The original statue, unveiled by PM Modi, pays tribute to Shivaji Maharaj’s visionary efforts in building a sea fort. The Rajkot Fort is situated about 3 km from the Sindhudurg Fort.