PM Modi apologizes for Shivaji's statue collapse, says 'I bow my head'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday publicly apologized for the recent collapse of the 35-foot Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue in Maharashtra's Sindhudurg district. Addressing a gathering in Palghar, Modi expressed deep regret over the incident, which has sparked controversy and criticism.

“In 2013, when the BJP named me as the Prime Ministerial candidate, the first thing I did was sit before Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's samadhi at Raigad as a devotee and started on a new journey,” Modi said, underscoring his long-standing reverence for the Maratha king. 

Modi continued, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name for us. Today, I bow my head and apologize to my god, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Our values ​​are different; we are not the type of people who keep abusing and insulting the great son of Mother India, Veer Savarkar. They are not ready to apologize, they are ready to go to the courts and fight.”

The Prime Minister's apology comes in the wake of the statue's collapse on August 26, which has led to widespread outrage, particularly among those who revere Shivaji Maharaj as a symbol of resistance and leadership. The incident has also drawn political criticism, with opposition parties questioning the construction quality and the government's handling of the project.

Modi's remarks not only addressed the specific incident but also touched upon a broader theme of respecting historical figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Veer Savarkar, contrasting his stance with that of his political opponents.