In a swift response to the passing of Ajit Pawar, former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has put a hold on the issuance of minority status certificates to approximately 75 educational institutions across the state. This decision was made shortly after Pawar’s tragic demise in a plane crash on January 28.
Investigations Underway
Fadnavis confirmed that orders were issued to pause the approvals and initiate an inquiry into the matter. Following the incident, Sunetra Pawar, Ajit Pawar’s wife, who is now overseeing the Minority Affairs Ministry, called for an emergency meeting in Mumbai. She instructed senior officials to take stringent measures against those responsible for the contradictory approvals that took place shortly after her husband’s death.
Concerns Raised by Opposition
The issue was brought to light by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), with members questioning the rapid clearance of these certificates within hours of Ajit Pawar’s passing. Akshay Jain, General Secretary of IYC’s state unit, noted that the process of issuing minority certificates had been on hold since August of the previous year, under former minister Manikrao Kokate. Following Kokate’s resignation in December 2025, Ajit Pawar assumed responsibility but maintained the status quo, he remarked.
Jain claimed that despite this, the department inexplicably resumed issuing certificates soon after Ajit Pawar’s death. “He passed away in the morning, and by afternoon, applications from educational institutions were approved. Between January 28 and February 3, around 75 institutes received the minority designation,” Jain stated during an address. He characterized the situation as indicative of a broader problem, asserting that those responsible should face appropriate consequences.
Demands for Accountability
Opposition leaders such as Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal and NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar shared their concerns regarding the rapid approvals just after Pawar’s demise. Rohit Pawar emphasized that a mere suspension of the certificates would not suffice, insisting on a comprehensive investigation. He alleged that officials may have solicited up to Rs 25 lakh for each certificate issued.
Sapkal added that the government must clarify the circumstances surrounding the approvals, underscoring that Ajit Pawar previously had a firm grip on the administration. He indicated that any irregularities that occurred shortly after his death fall within CM Fadnavis’s jurisdiction.
Further Investigative Measures
Ambadas Danve from Sena UBT echoed the need for an in-depth investigation, criticizing the government for its actions. Pyare Khan, chairperson of the state minority commission, communicated that over 3,300 educational institutions in Maharashtra currently benefit from minority status. He mentioned prior actions taken against some of these institutions, which allegedly only operated to exploit concessions related to the minority designation without providing genuine educational benefits to students.
Khan disclosed that several cases against managements had arisen following investigations into numerous bogus teacher appointments. Some officials from the education department faced legal action due to their collusion with these institutions. He cautioned that minority-status schools are exempt from the Right to Education quota for student admissions and possess the authority to directly appoint teachers, sometimes without relevant qualifications, which can adversely affect educational quality.
