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Shivaji Statue Collapse: Amid the ongoing row over the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse incident, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a counter protest against the Maha Vikas Aghadi on Sunday. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the incident and urged the opposition to stop doing politics over the incident. Speaking to the reporters, CM Shinde said that the state government would take strict action against the perpetrators. 

"Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the biggest God for us; he is a worshipped deity, his statue falling suddenly is a condemnable incident, strict action will be taken by the government against the person whose mistakes have caused this incident, but I want to say to the opposition party leaders that they should stop doing politics on this," CM Shinde told reporters.

Shinde said that the statue of the status of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be made at the same place. He further added that the state government has involved big artists in this and that the statue will be built soon.

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Shivaji Statue Collapse: Here Are Top Updates:

- Earlier in the day, Uddhav Thackeray said that Maharashtra's soul has been insulted and the people will never forget those who insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji. Speaking at a protest rally, Thackeray also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that wherever he lays his hand, truth gets destroyed.

- "There is no excuse for this mistake. Shivaji Maharaj and the Gateway of India is the gateway of our country. This anti-Shiva government is sitting in an unconstitutional manner. The Prime Minister of the country came four days ago. He apologized. Even while apologizing, he did not have anything on his face," he said.

- He told a gathering after the culmination of the march at Gateway of India that, "Did you notice the arrogance in the (Prime Minister Narendra Modi's) apology? It smacked of arrogance. One deputy chief minister was smiling". 

- Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis claimed that the MVA's agitation held on Sunday was completely political.

- "MVA or Congress never honoured Chhatrapati Shivaji. Remember the speeches made by Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi from Red Fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's name was not even mentioned in any speech. Pandit Nehru insulted Chhatrapati Shivaji in his book 'Discovery of India'. Will Maha Vikas Aghadi and the Congress party apologise for this?" he asked.

- A 35-foot-tall statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Sindhudurg district collapsed on August 26. It had been unveiled on December 4 last year as part of Navy Day celebrations, which were held in Sindhudurg for the first time.

- Meanwhile, the Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday told the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government and the opposition not to do politics in the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and demanded strict punishment against those involved in insulting state and national icons. He also visited Rajkot Fort in Malvam, where the status collapsed.

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- The incident led to massive outrage across the state, with the prime minister apologising for the event.

- On Sunday, the Maha Vikas Aghadi held a march to protest the collapse of the statue.

- They slammed the Union and state governments for the collapse, with Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray calling PM Modi's apology as one "smacking of arrogance" and NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar saying the episode was an example of corruption.

- Union minister and NDA ally Ramdas Athawale demanded a  detailed probe into the incident.

- "There is no dearth of experienced sculptors; why the responsibility was given to a novice?" Athawale asked while speaking to reporters.

- Stating that the incident was unforgivable, the RPI (A) chief said the concerned officials of the Public Works Department and the Navy should also be investigated.

(With input from agencies)