Pune, 18 November 2025: The removal of a bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj from the Shukrawar Peth tehsildar office in Pune has led to protests, with local groups questioning whether proper procedures were followed.
The bust was taken down late Saturday as the tehsildar’s office began shifting to a new location. Protesters said the structure where the bust stood was linked with heritage value and demanded clarity on permissions. Shiv Sena (UBT) Pune unit president Sanjay More said the action lacked transparency and asked whether any formal approval had been obtained.
Multiple organisations gathered outside the tehsildar’s office on Monday to register their objection.
Tehsildar Archana Nikam said the administration had removed the bust carefully and with full respect. She said they had secured approval from the collector’s office and handed the bust over to the Public Works Department for reinstallation at the new premises. She also clarified that the tehsildar’s office building is not officially listed as a heritage structure.
Sub-divisional magistrate Yashwant Mane added that the bust has been kept safely at the same site for now due to public sentiment, and it will be reinstalled once the office relocation is complete.