Unauthorized Statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Erected Overnight in Solapur
In a dramatic overnight development, an unauthorized statue of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj was erected in a vacant space near the National Highway, directly in front of the bus stand in Mohol town of Solapur district. The police confirmed the incident on Sunday, revealing that the statue appeared without any prior permission or official approval.
Police Response and Security Concerns
The police immediately barricaded the area upon discovering the statue early Sunday morning, deploying heavy security to manage the situation. According to authorities, the land belongs to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), and erecting any structure near national highways is strictly prohibited due to significant security risks. Accidents along highways could potentially damage the statue, posing dangers to both the monument and public safety.
A senior Solapur police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, "We are in the process of registering a case against the unknown individuals responsible for erecting the statue without permission. The NHAI officials are going to file the complaint. We plan to engage with concerned organizations to remove the statue amicably."
Local Demands and Political Reactions
Followers of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj have strongly warned authorities against removing the statue, instead urging the police to secure necessary permissions from relevant departments to allow it to remain. They emphasized that erecting a statue of Sambhaji Maharaj in Mohol has been a long-pending demand that has been consistently ignored over the years.
Ramesh Baraskar, a local Shiv Sena functionary, commented on the issue, saying, "We are going to discuss this matter in the Mohol Nagar Parishad and work towards making an appropriate location available for the statue's installation." This statement highlights the political dimensions of the incident, as local leaders seek to address community sentiments while navigating legal and regulatory frameworks.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
The unauthorized erection of the statue raises critical questions about land use and compliance with national highway regulations. The NHAI's earlier communications explicitly forbid the construction of statues near highways to prevent accidents and ensure road safety. This incident underscores the challenges authorities face in balancing public expressions of cultural heritage with strict adherence to security protocols.
As the situation unfolds, the police are focused on investigating the identity of those responsible and coordinating with NHAI officials to resolve the matter. The community's reaction and political involvement suggest that this issue may evolve into a broader discussion about memorializing historical figures in public spaces while respecting legal boundaries.
