In protest of the collapse of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Malvan, the Maha Vikas Aghadi has announced a march from Hutatma Smarak (Martyrs’ Memorial) to the Gateway of India in Mumbai on 1st September at 11 AM. During a press conference in Mumbai, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray said that the explanation—that the statue fell due to the wind—is unacceptable. Thackeray claimed that the statue was hastily installed last year with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. NCP-SP leader Sharad Pawar criticized the government, stating that the incident reflects corruption under its watch. Congress leader Nana Patole added that the protest would continue across all villages starting Second of September.

In another incident, a police officer and a woman were injured during stone-pelting following a clash between supporters of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray and BJP MP Narayan Rane, who had come to inspect the collapsed statue in Malvan, Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district. Although the police have brought the situation under control, tensions remain high in Malvan. The Maha Vikas Aghadi had called for a ‘bandh’ in Malvan today, resulting in the complete closure of the local market. The march began this morning with opposition leaders Ambadas Danve, Vijay Wadettiwar, Aaditya Thackeray, and Jayant Patil participating.