The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, a gift from San Jose’s sister city in Pune, once stood at Guadalupe River Park in San Jose, Calif. The statue was reported missing on January 31 but San Jose Police recovered it from a metal scrapyard on February 9. We take a look at the empty space where the statue once stood.

A close look of what remains of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Guadalupe River Park on Feb. 12 in San Jose, Calif. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
The empty space where a plaque for the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue was installed at Guadalupe River Park on Feb. 12 in San Jose, Calif. Two plaques were removed until the statue can be fixed and reinstalled by the City. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Sheila Silva and Ken Epley came to Guadalupe River Park to pay their respects to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue on Feb. 12 in San Jose, Calif. The statue was a gift from San Jose’s sister city in Pune, India. “We look forward to its return,” said Epley. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.
Guadalupe River Park at Taylor Street on Feb. 12 in San Jose, Calif. Photo: Sree Sripathy for India Currents/CatchLight Local.

Sree Sripathy joined India Currents as a staff photographer and CatchLight Local Fellow as part of CatchLight's California Local Visual Desk program in June 2022. Reach out with story ideas or comments...