Karnataka Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi issued a directive for the immediate erection of a statue of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj in Belagavi. The Municipal Commissioner, Dr. Rudresh Ghali, has been tasked with fulfilling this responsibility. The Minister questioned why, despite a fund of Rs.1 crore being sanctioned for the statue’s construction six years ago, it has not yet been erected. As such, the Municipal Commissioner must take action to ensure the statute’s completion.
Minister Jarkiholi believes that a statue of Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj should also be erected on the road leading to KLE Hospital. In 2018, the Corporation erected Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj and Gautam Buddha statues in the city. Minister Jarkiholi chaired the committee responsible for this decision. Initially, it was decided to erect the statue of Shahu Maharaj on the road leading to KLE Hospital, but due to the highway’s expansion, no action was taken.
Dalit organizations demanded that Gautama Buddha’s statue be erected in fort lake, but the Municipal Corporation deemed it impossible. However, a fund of Rs.1 crore has been reserved for the statue’s construction.
In 2018, a committee was formed to oversee the installation of the Shahu Maharaj and Gautam Buddha statues. Minister Jarkiholi was the chairman of this committee, and it was decided that the statue would be erected on the road leading to KLE Hospital. The work of erecting the statue will commence immediately.