Pune corporators go on rampage on removal against Dadoji statue

Members of Shiv Sena-BJP combine today clashed with ruling NCP corporators in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), exchanging blows and damaging furniture in the house protesting the removal of statue of Dadoji Konddeo, considered as Shivaji's mentor, from the Lal Mahal in Pune.

After the ugly scenes in the house, NCP members allegedly smashed furniture in the offices of Shiv Sena and BJP, housed in the corporation building.

Tension prevailed here after the PMC authorities removed the statue early this morning from Lal Mahal, one of the famous monuments here, pursuant to a resolution passed by civic body dominated by NCP-Congress combine, approving removal of the statue.

The statue had become a bone of contention following a persistent demand by pro-Maratha outfit 'Sambhaji Brigade' opposing its presence at the Mahal, along with sculptures of Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji and young age image of the Maratha warrior king.

Sena MLC Neelam Gore and about 30 partymen courted arrest after taking out a rally from Lal Mahal to the corporation building, denouncing the ruling party's decision to remove the statue as an attempt to rewrite history and creating a social divide.

It was a free-for-all in the general body of the PMC as the saffron alliance and ruling party members were involved in scuffles and smashed glass panes, furniture and microphones in the house, leading to its adjournment for the day.

Meanwhile, a court admitted a petition by history researchers, challenging the PMC action in removing the Dadoji statue and seeking its restoration.

Mayor of Pune Mohansingh Rajpal appealed to the people to maintain peace and accept the decision of removing the statue - which will be installed at a municipal garden as it was taken to "honour the sentiments of a large section of the society."

The 'Brigade' had alleged that after publication of the controversial book written by American author James Laine, which supposedly contained defamatory references to Shivaji's parentage, it was necessary to remove the statue of Dadoji, considered mentor of Shivaji, and replace it with Shahaji Raje, his father.

A spokesperson of Sambhaji Brigade claimed its office in Navipeth area was today ransacked by unknown miscreants.