Govt faces flak over removing statues of Phule, Holkar at Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi

“It is of extreme concern that the statues of Ktantijyoti Savitribai Phule and Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar were removed in front of the chief minister and deputy chief minister. We do not oppose organising a programme of Savarkar but what was the need to remove the statues of these two great women,” said NCP state president Jayant Patil who added that the people of Maharashtra as well as the country would condemn the action.

State Congress chief Nana Patole said, “The act of removing statues of two of the greatest leaders of Maharashtra is highly condemnable. We demand an apology from the state government. This government does not respect women. What happened in Maharashtra Sadan must be probed and those guilty should be punished,” he said.

The state government did not respond to the allegations by the opposition leaders.

On Sunday, state Women’s Commission chief Rupali Chakankar raised the issue of removing the statues and said, “The act of removing the statues was done in front of the CM and deputy CM. We are celebrating the birth anniversary of Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar in another three days and insulting two women who are at the helm of the movement to ensure pride for women at this time is a matter of concern. It is not only their insult but also exposes the mentality to negate their existence and history,” she said.