Unauthorized 10-Foot Shivaji Statue Triggers Clashes in Bodhan
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 31
Unauthorized 10-Foot Shivaji Statue Triggers Clashes in Bodhan
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 31
A nearly 10-foot statue of Shivaji appeared overnight at a busy Bodhan intersection on March 20, 2022, and stone-throwing between Hindu and Muslim groups broke out before police arrived.
Authorities quickly banned public gatherings as they tried to prevent the clashes from escalating into a wider riot in the city, which has a large Muslim population.
Gopi Kishan, a member of an extreme Hindu right-wing group, said he organized the installation after officials informally backed his petition but delayed formal approval over law-and-order concerns.
The episode reflects Shivaji’s rising status in India’s Hindu right, which venerates the 17th-century warrior king for fighting the Muslim Mughal dynasty and casts him as a symbol of Hindu pride.
From street statues to court rulings, is India systematically rewriting its public identity and who belongs within it?
How is a 17th-century king being weaponized to define who is a true Indian in 2026?
The Bodhan Shivaji Statue Controversy: Political, Social, and Communal Fault Lines in Telangana (2022–2026)
Overview
The installation of the Shivaji statue in Bodhan in 2022, approved by the local municipal council, quickly became a source of major political and social tension in Telangana. Protests erupted, including stone-pelting incidents reportedly involving AIMIM and BJP supporters, which drew strong condemnation from political leaders and turned the event into a significant flashpoint between different communities. This confrontation highlighted how cultural symbols can spark deep divisions and influence state politics. As of May 2026, the Bodhan incident remains a key example of how public symbols continue to shape political narratives and community relations in the region.