Opposition’s ‘Hit With Footwear’ March Takes Over Mumbai; What’s The Protest About?

Mumbai: Leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) held a protest march here on Sunday over the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s statue in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.

NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, party leaders Aaditya Thackeray and Sanjay Raut, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole participated in the ‘Jode Maro’ march, which means ‘hit with footwear.’

The Eknath Shinde government put in place massive security cover for the ‘Jode maro’ rally from Hutatma Chowk in Fort area to Gateway of India.

The Gateway of India, turned into a fortress, has been shut for tourists because of “law and order” compulsions.

The ruling BJP has questioned the relevance of the protest and has planned a march of its own to counter the Opposition’s agitation.

Shiv Sena (UBT) stated that it was out to “awaken the pride of Maharashtra” bowing at Shivaji’s feet.

Sharad Pawar’s faction of NCP said there is no forgiveness for “corrupt Shivdrohis”.

According to Congress, the march is aimed at teaching a lesson to ‘Shivdrohis’ whose shoddy work, corruption led to the fall of the 35-foot statue and insulted Shivaji.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who unveiled the statue last December, apologised with bowed head to Shivaji and the people who were hurt.

Former chief minister Uddhav said Modi’s ‘apology’ smacked of arrogance. He claimed that the people of Maharashtra would never forgive the ruling government.

The BJP slammed Opposition’s protest, saying they were politicising the issue.

“For more than 50 years, leaders of the Congress and NCP are insulting Shivaji Maharaj. Indira Gandhi never spoke a word about Shivaji Maharaj from Red Fort, will the Congress apologise? PM Modi has apologised, but Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders are politicising the issue because the polls are approaching,” Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said.

State BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye said the Opposition’s love for Shivaji is superficial.

“Is the PM’s apology not enough? Rahul Gandhi had also apologised for his comments on the Rafale episode. Will they (MVA) stage a similar protest for these apologies?” Upadhye asked.