Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis during the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of various development projects, in Palghar district, on Friday. (PTI)
PM Narendra Modi acknowledged the deep pain caused by the incident and expressed regret for the damage to the statue, stressing the need to respect Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s apology for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue in Malvan Konkan is important, given the emotions associated with the Maratha warrior king in Maharashtra.
PM Modi had unveiled the statue at Rajkot Fort eight months ago. Modi acknowledged the deep pain caused by the incident and expressed regret for the damage to the statue, stressing the need to honor Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy with respect.
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In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj is not only a historical figure, but a symbol of identity and pride for millions, especially the Maratha community. Modi’s apology is a strategic political move, given the importance of Maharashtra in India’s political landscape.
BJP’S MAHARASHTRA PLAN
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under the leadership of Modi, is keen to strengthen its presence in the region, especially after voters rejected the BJP and its alliance partners in the recently held general elections.
In Maharashtra, the BJP and its alliance partners were confident of winning more than 42 of the 48 seats, but managed to secure only 17 seats.
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Critics of the BJP are of the opinion that by publicly apologizing, Modi is trying to minimize the potential backlash, rather preventing it from becoming the main reason people do not support him in the upcoming elections.
Also, the Maratha community, which kept a distance from the BJP, could no longer be divided. The incident could have sparked widespread protests, and the apology could calm sentiment and show the government’s sensitivity to local cultural icons.
THE OPPOSITION WHAT
Mumbai Congress chief and MP Varsha Gaikwad said, “just an apology will not erase the wrongdoing. If the statue falls in eight months, it means some kind of corruption has happened in it. Why did the PM or the Center not launch the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating the methods used against the opposition to settle political scores?” Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, “This apology comes after a huge public outcry after realizing that the opposition is demanding accountability, and it is too late.
MARATHA SUPPORT
The apology also came at a time when the Maratha community was vocal about its demand for reservation in education and government jobs. The community, which forms an important part of Maharashtra’s population, has been agitating for increased political representation and social benefits, demanding historical injustice. The issue of Maratha reservation has become controversial, with protests and political maneuvering.
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Therefore, Modi’s apology can be seen as an attempt to appease the community and ensure the government’s commitment to solving the problem. By linking the apology to the broader context of Maratha pride and demand for reservation, Modi may seek to garner support among Marathas, an important electoral bloc in Maharashtra.
Will this apology from the PM control the damage to the Mahayuti government in the country? Before the PM, Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde both apologized to the people of Maharashtra, but the anger did not subside, as the opposition continued to attack.
By apologizing, the PM has tried to end all controversies, the issue may give the opposition the ammunition it needs before the upcoming assembly polls.
