NCP Stages Statewide Silent Protests Over Shivaji Statue Collapse

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP, part of Maharashtra's government, staged silent protests across the state over the collapse of Shivaji Maharaj's statue, demanding action against those responsible. The incident has turned into a political controversy, with the opposition and ruling parties both announcing protests. NCP leaders emphasized their right to agitate and called for reconstructing a sturdier statue.

The Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which is part of the Maharashtra government, staged silent protests across the state on Thursday over the collapse of the Shivaji Maharaj statue, demanding accountability from those responsible.

The 35-foot statue, installed at Rajkot fort in Sindhudurg's Malvan tehsil, collapsed on August 26, less than nine months after being unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident has ignited a political firestorm with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) criticizing the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government.

Opposition leaders announced a protest march in Mumbai on September 1, while the NCP carried out silent protests statewide. NCP's Maharashtra president Sunil Tatkare stated that everyone has the right to agitate in a democracy and reiterated the party's demands for a stronger statue and action against those responsible for the collapse.

(With inputs from agencies.)