PM Modi Apologises For Shivaji Statue Collapse, Attacks Rahul Gandhi For Not Apologising For 'Abusing Veer Savarkar'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained that he began the journey in the service of the nation with bhakti-bhaav (devotion) and apologised for the collapse of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue in Sindhudhrg, Maharashtra.

"For me and my colleagues, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is not just a name or just a king, but we worship him as God. Today I bow my head and apologise to my god Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj," Modi said.

"Our values ​​are different, we are not those people who keep abusing and insulting the great son of Mother India, the son of this land, Veer Savarkar," the PM lashed out at the opposition for playing with the emotions of the patriots.

"They are not ready to apologise even after abusing Veer Savarkar. They are ready to go to the courts and fight," Modi said attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is facing defamation case, without naming him.

Modi urged the people of Maharashtra to know the values of those who do not have remorse for abusing Savarkar and drew a contrast that he is apologising for the collapse of Shivaji's statue, the opposition.

"Those who consider Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as their deity and have been deeply hurt, I bow my head and apologise to them. Our values ​​are different. For us, nothing is bigger than our deity," he added.

The PM, speaking in Palghar, emphasised the need for a developed Maharashtra for the Viksit Bharat vision. Assembly elections in the state are due later this year.