Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar apologises for the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Malvan fort. In other news, the Bombay High Court emphasises the need for gender sensitisation among schoolchildren during the Badlapur sexual abuse case hearing and directs the SIT to invoke Section 16 of the POCSO Act. The weather bureau predicts moderate showers for Mumbai. Meanwhile, Maharashtra cabinet minister Deepak Kesarkar defends his controversial remarks on the statue collapse and demands a 100-ft statue of Shivaji in Sindhudurg.
Sharad Pawar and the Collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Statue
On August 15, 2022, the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Malvan Fort in Maharashtra collapsed during an inauguration ceremony attended by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Background
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is revered as a legendary warrior king and founder of the Maratha Empire. The statue at Malvan Fort was intended to honor his legacy and commemorate India's 75th Independence Day.
Collapse and Apology
The collapse of the statue sparked outrage and criticism across the state. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who was present at the event, apologized for the incident and ordered an investigation. He blamed the "faulty construction" of the statue for its collapse.
Investigations and Arrests
A special investigation team (SIT) was formed to investigate the incident. Preliminary findings revealed structural deficiencies in the statue's design and construction. Multiple arrests were made, including the contractor and architect involved in the project.
Political Reactions
The statue collapse became a political controversy, with opposition parties attacking the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government for negligence and demanding accountability. Sharad Pawar, the president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and a senior leader in the MVA government, condemned the incident and called for strict action against those responsible.
Court Proceedings
The Bombay High Court emphasized the need for gender sensitization among schoolchildren during the hearing of the Badlapur sexual abuse case. The court directed the SIT investigating the case to invoke Section 16 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which pertains to mandatory reporting of sexual offenses.
FAQs
1. Who is Sharad Pawar? Sharad Pawar is a veteran Indian politician and the president of the Nationalist Congress Party. He has served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra multiple times and held various ministerial positions in the Union government.
2. What happened to the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj? The statue collapsed during an inauguration ceremony on August 15, 2022, due to structural deficiencies.
3. Who apologized for the collapse? Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar apologized for the incident and ordered an investigation.
4. What are the latest developments in the investigation? A SIT is investigating the collapse, and multiple arrests have been made, including the contractor and architect.
5. What is the significance of the Bombay High Court's order in the Badlapur case? The order emphasizes the need for gender sensitization among schoolchildren and directs the investigating SIT to invoke Section 16 of the POCSO Act, which requires mandatory reporting of sexual offenses.
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