Overview
- The half-length bust was taken down from the Haveli tehsildar’s Shukrawar Peth premises late Saturday as the office prepared to relocate to Khadakmal Ali.
- Multiple groups, including Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and community activists, protested and questioned whether the site’s heritage status was respected.
- Tehsildar Archana Nikam said required permissions were obtained from the district collector and maintained the tehsildar’s office is not a notified heritage structure.
- The Public Works Department said it had custody of the bust for renovation and reinstalled it at the original spot on Monday to address public objections and prevent law-and-order issues.
- Officials indicated a later shift of the statue to the new administrative building may follow demolition of old structures, pending approvals and measures to protect public sentiment and the statue’s security.