Did negligence and corruption cause Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue to collapse in Maharashtra?

The sudden collapse of a 35-foot statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Maharashtra, has ignited a political firestorm and raised concerns over possible negligence and corruption. The statue, a significant cultural symbol, was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Navy Day celebrations on December 4, 2023. Less than a year later, on August 26, 2024, the statue toppled amid heavy rainfall and strong winds, triggering accusations of mismanagement and demands for accountability from both the public and opposition parties.

Calls for Accountability and Allegations of Corruption

The collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue has led to a wave of allegations from various quarters. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde initially attributed the incident to “strong winds” and severe weather conditions, but this explanation has been met with skepticism by many. Opposition parties, including the Congress, have accused the government of overlooking vital aspects of the statue’s maintenance and structural integrity. They argue that proper checks were not in place and that the collapse is a result of incompetence and corruption in the involved departments.

The controversy intensified when structural engineer Chetan Patil, who was involved in the construction of the statue, surrendered to the authorities following the incident. Patil was named in the First Information Report (FIR) filed after the collapse. His surrender to the Kolhapur police, later transferred to the Malvan police, has raised further questions about the statue’s construction quality and whether adequate measures were taken to ensure its stability against natural elements.

Public Interest Litigation and Demands for a New Statue

In the aftermath of the collapse, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Bombay High Court by journalist-turned-activist Ketan Tirodkar. The PIL calls for an in-depth investigation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) or a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the alleged corruption involving the Public Works Department (PWD) and naval dockyard engineers who were responsible for maintaining the statue. Tirodkar’s petition stresses that these officials should not be absolved of their duties simply because the construction team was from a private sector or another government department.

The PIL also proposes that a new statue, standing at least 40 feet tall, be designed by experts from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. This suggestion aims to ensure that the new statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj would be built with robust materials and advanced engineering techniques, capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions.

Political Fallout and Expert Opinions on Accountability

The collapse has led to a significant political fallout in Maharashtra, with opposition parties seizing the opportunity to criticize the ruling government. Allegations have emerged that the sculptor of the statue, Jaydeep Apte, had connections to political entities like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), adding another layer of controversy. The state government, however, has dismissed these allegations, reiterating that the statue’s collapse was an accident caused by natural forces.

Experts in structural engineering suggest that such incidents are often a result of a combination of factors, including design flaws, improper material usage, and lack of routine maintenance checks. A retired civil engineer from Mumbai commented that “the responsibility lies equally with the government departments overseeing the project and the private contractors hired for the construction.” This viewpoint underscores the need for a thorough investigation to determine the root causes and to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Government’s Response and Future Plans

To address the growing public outrage, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has announced the formation of a technical committee, which will include engineers from the PWD and the Indian Navy, to assess the reasons for the collapse. Pawar has also promised to erect a new, more resilient statue at the same location, Rajkot Fort, in Sindhudurg district. The government aims to ensure that the new statue is built with advanced engineering methods to prevent such incidents from recurring.

As the investigation unfolds and more details emerge, the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue has become a flashpoint for discussions on public accountability, structural safety, and political transparency. The outcome of the ongoing investigations and the government’s response will likely shape the narrative in the coming days.