Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Pune Man's Lifelike Ajit Pawar Idol Draws Mixed Reactions
A man in Pune made a lifelike statue of Ajit Pawar.
The statue shows Pawar holding Lord Ganesha.
The creator, Darshan Sonawane, worked on it for about three months.
Many people have visited his home to see it.
The display also shows the plane crash in which Pawar died.
Some people think showing the crash during Ganeshotsav is upsetting or unnecessary.
Other people like the statue because it helps them remember Pawar.
The family says the project was made out of admiration and has made visitors emotional.
Darshan Sonawane of Bhosari created a lifelike Ajit Pawar statue holding Lord Ganesha.
Sonawane’s family said he worked continuously for nearly three months on the tribute.
The installation also includes a display depicting the aircraft crash that killed Pawar.
Some social media users criticized showing the crash during a religious festival.
Pawar admirers welcomed the statue as a personal tribute during Maharashtra’s first Ganeshotsav without him.
- Who
- Darshan Sonawane, a Bhosari resident, created the tribute to Ajit Pawar.
- What
- A lifelike statue shows Ajit Pawar holding Lord Ganesha, alongside a depiction of the aircraft crash that killed him.
- When
- The tribute was created for the 2026 Ganeshotsav, described as the first since Pawar’s death on January 28, 2026.
- Where
- The display is at Sonawane’s home in Indrayani Nagar, Bhosari, Pune.
- Why
- Sonawane wanted to express his admiration for Pawar and portray him bringing Ganpati Bappa home.
Critics of the Crash Display
Supporters of the Tribute
Including the aircraft crash
Critics of the Crash Display
Some social media users questioned the need to depict the tragedy during a religious festival and criticized the choice.
Supporters of the Tribute
Pawar’s admirers focused on the central statue and viewed the installation as a personal tribute and a way to remember him.
Meaning of the statue
Critics of the Crash Display
Critics’ concerns centered on the crash imagery, which they considered inappropriate or unnecessary for the festival display.
Supporters of the Tribute
Supporters saw Pawar holding Ganpati Bappa as a moving representation of his continued closeness to supporters and the family’s remembrance of him.
- Creator
- Darshan Sonawane of Indrayani Nagar, Bhosari
- Main display
- A lifelike statue of Ajit Pawar holding Lord Ganesha
- Work period
- Nearly three months
- Crash date
- January 28, 2026
- Aircraft
- A Learjet 45
- Crash location
- While attempting to land at Baramati Airport
- Crash outcome
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said there were no survivors
- Public response
- Visitors praised the statue, while social media reactions to the crash depiction were mixed