MVA Holds Protest March in Mumbai Over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Statue Collapse Incident, BJP Calls It ‘Political Stunt’

The Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress have called for "jode maro" (hit with footwear) protests against the Mayahuti government of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.

Mumbai: The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will hold a protest march in Mumbai from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident today. Owing to the march, the Mumbai police have deployed security personnel in the city. The Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and Congress have called for “jode maro” (hit with footwear) protests against the Mayahuti government of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP.

#WATCH | MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) to hold a protest march in Mumbai from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident. Police and other security personnel deployed in the city. pic.twitter.com/6dgNI32xea

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

MVA Protest: LIVE UPDATES

Doing politics on it is more sad thing and the opposition is doing politics on this: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde

#WATCH | On the MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) protest ver Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde says, “…This is s very sad thing for us…Shivaji Maharaj cannot be a political issue for us, this is a matter of identity and faith for us.… pic.twitter.com/6rSpxMgApG

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

BJP Hoold Counter Protest Against MVA

#WATCH | Maharashtra: BJP does a counter-protest against MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) which is holding a protest march in Mumbai today, over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident.

Visuals of the BJP’s counter-protest in Dadar area of Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/kyo8A44PXo

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

MVA holds a protest march in Mumbai over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident.

#WATCH | MVA holds a protest march in Mumbai over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai says, “PM was emotional, he expressed his grief over the incident but the government of Maharashtra, which should have expressed themselves,… pic.twitter.com/5Pze6maAnK

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Police stop MVA workers and leaders who are holding a protest march in Mumbai from Hutatma Chowk to Gateway of India, over Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s statue collapse incident. pic.twitter.com/EuvXZ2VLLH

— ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

March Politically Motivated, Says BJP

The BJP has questioned the relevance of the proposed agitation by the (MVA even after Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologising for the incident.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, state BJP chief spokesperson Keshav Upadhye alleged the agitation planned by MVA partners on Sunday is politically motivated with an eye on upcoming assembly elections.

He said the opposition’s love for the founder of the Maratha empire was superficial.

Upadhye asked MVA whether they will stage similar protests for the past “apologies” by Jawaharlal Nehru over his remarks on Shivaji Maharaj and by Sonia Gandhi over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

“Rahul Gandhi had also apologised for his comments on the Rafale episode. Will they (MVA) stage a similar protest for these apologies?” Upadhye questioned.

PM Modi apologised to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and those hurt by the collapse of the warrior king’s statue in Sindhudurg district amid backlash by the opposition.

“Is the PM’s apology not enough?” the BJP chief spokesperson asked.

Upadhye said the BJP’s Youth Wing would stage agitations across Maharashtra on Sunday near the statues of Shivaji Maharaj to “expose” the opposition.

Alleging that the MVA’s planned protest is politically motivated in view of the upcoming assembly elections, Upadhye alleged the previous governments (led by Congress) did nothing to preserve the forts of Shivaji Maharaj.