Several people thronged the streets of Chhindwara district after a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji was removed by using a JCB machine in Sausar town in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district.
Former BJP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has accused the ruling Congress of insulting the pride of the nation and demanded apology from Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who hails from Chhindwara district. According to sources, Shiv Sena and some other organisations had urged the local administration to rebuild the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji in the town.
It is said that the bust was installed on a platform at Mohgaon Square intersection without any permission. That is the reason why it has been removed by the local administration. The statue was built by some local people belonging to saffron organisations.
The removal of the bust has created a controversy in the town. Several locals of Sausar took to the streets to express their anger towards the injustice done by the local administration and demanding re-installation of the bust.
“The bust was removed as it was placed at the Mohgaon chauraha (square) without any permission,” said Sausar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Omprakash Sanodia.
Taking to Twitter after the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji was removed in a wrong way, BJP senior leader Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted, “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the pride of the nation, the source of inspiration for the country. His humiliation will not be tolerated at any cost. If there was any objection, his statue could have been removed in a respectful manner. But this government takes pride in insulting great men,”
“The Shiv Sena-led government in Maharashtra which also includes the Congress considers Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as an ideal. Will they (Shiv Sena) tolerate such insult to him (Shivaji)?” Mr. Chouhan questioned.
Locals said that the removal of the statue had hurt the sentiments of people. Following the removal of the statue, People lashed out at the government and protested against the administration and blocked roads, demanding re-installation of the bust. However, Sausar municipality on Tuesday approved a proposal to re-install the statue at the same intersection.
