Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue removal sparks row

Tension is rising in Pune after the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was removed from the historic Tehsil Office (Mamledar Kacheri) premises in Shukrawar Peth at midnight between Nov 14 and 15.

- Indu Bhagat

Members of the Berad—Bedar-Ramoshi community across Maharashtra have expressed anger, calling the action disrespectful and demanding that the statue be reinstalled at its original location without delay.

In 2005, the Pune Municipal Corporation declared the entire locality a heritage zone. Despite this, residents allege that construction work under the Build Operate Transport (BOT) model is being carried out illegally. “We have already submitted multiple complaints to stop the work, but no firm action has been taken. We have submitted a letter to the Pune District Collector, and they have also highlighted the historical importance of the site and urged the authorities to take some strict actions,” one of the protesters told The Free Press Journal (FPJ).