Row over removal of Chhatrapati Shivaji's bust in MP town

A controversy has erupted over removal of a bust of Chhatrapati Shivaji by local administration using a JCB machine in Sausar town in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, with the BJP accusing the ruling Congress of "insulting" the "pride of the nation" with the act.

The bust, which was placed on a platform at Mohgaon Square intersection without any permission, was removed on Monday night, a senior district official said on Wednesday.

The bust was put by some local saffron organisations.

The removal of the bust triggered protests on Tuesday with some residents of Sausar, located around 56 kms from Chhindwara, trying to block portion of Chhindwara-Nagpur national highway demanding re-installation of the bust.

"The bust was removed as it was placed at the Mohgaon chauraha (square) without any permission," said Sausar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Omprakash Sanodia.

Following the incident, the opposition BJP demanded apology from Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who hails from