Raj Thackeray slams BJP-Shiv Sena over memorial, says upkeep of Shivaji's fort will pay homage

While Shiv Sena and BJP laid the foundation stone for memorial of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj last year, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray believes in saving the legacy of the warrior king in a different way. Opposing the politics centred around memorials, he said that he is of the opinion that upkeep of the 17th Century king’s forts would be a rather fitting tribute to him. 

Raj pointed out that the construction of Rs 3,700 crore equestrian statue of Shivaji Maharaj, which is supposed to come up on a 17 acre rocky outcrop in the Arabian Sea off the Girgaum Chowpatty, was difficult to accomplish. 

“I oppose construction of statues. The real memorial for Shivaji Maharaj will be the maintenance of his forts to serve as an inspiration for future generations. There are many statues in the country. The repair and upkeep of these forts can be a fitting a memorial for paying homage to Shivaji Maharaj and to serve as an inspiration to coming generations who can know the greatness of this king,” said Raj, while speaking to DNA on Sunday.  

Just before the BMC polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation of the project in December 2016 by performing ‘jal pujan’ and Shiv Sena party president Uddhav Thackeray, who is Raj’s estranged cousin, was also present at the function. The memorial project includes a 192-feet tall statue, which the state government wants to be the tallest in the world. 

However, the memorial has been opposed by people from the fishermen community, who are the original residents of Mumbai, on grounds that it will affect their fishing and catch.