Kopargaon: In the central area of Kopargaon town, a bronze equestrian statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was to be installed. The statue was being brought from Nashik. But the government officials under the pressure brought by politicians stopped it midway. Staunch Hindus therefore, held demonstrations against Government ploy and finally, the statue was installed after 15 hours of agitations.
Two years back, in the general body meeting of Kopargaon municipality, the members had approved installation of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj under the mayor-ship of Shri. Rajendra Zavare. That time, permission was also taken from the officials of concerned departments of the Government. Even then, a few mean politicians were trying to stop the installation. When the statue was being brought to Kopargaon from Nashik, it was stopped at the Kopargaon-Puntambe diversion giving an excuse of election-code of conduct. The enraged staunch Hindus called a ‘bandh’. The sculptor of the statue also joined the agitation and threatened that he would immolate himself if the statue was not taken to its assigned place. The agitation was going on from 12.00 in the midnight to 4.00 p.m. in the afternoon on the next day. Finally, the officials had to agree to the demands of the agitators and the statue was installed at its allocated place.
(The politicians who pressurize the officers not to install the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are Indian or Pakistani? Hindus should teach a lesson to these politicians in coming elections. � Editor)
