Maharashtra CM Halts Minority Status Certificates for 75 Educational Institutes
In a significant administrative move, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday ordered a stay on certificates granting minority status to at least 75 educational institutions across the state. This action comes shortly after the tragic demise of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also headed the minority affairs department, in a plane crash on January 28.
Immediate Action Following Opposition Pressure
The decision followed mounting demands for an inquiry from opposition members. "Orders have been issued to stay the permissions and investigate the matter thoroughly," Fadnavis confirmed to media outlets on Monday. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who now oversees the minority affairs ministry following her husband's passing, convened an urgent meeting in Mumbai. She directed senior officials to take strict action against those responsible for issuing these certificates.
Timing Raises Serious Questions
The issue was first flagged by members of the Indian Youth Congress in Pune, who raised alarms about how the department cleared certificates within hours of Ajit Pawar's death. Akshay Jain, general secretary of IYC's state unit, revealed that the process of issuing minority certificates had been halted by former minister Manikrao Kokate last August. After Kokate resigned in December 2025, Ajit Pawar took charge and maintained the status quo.
However, Jain stated that the department abruptly resumed issuing certificates immediately after Pawar's passing. "He passed away in the morning, and by afternoon, applications from educational institutes were being approved. Between January 28 and February 3, approximately 75 institutes received the minority tag," Jain explained. He welcomed the CM's decision, suggesting this appeared to be "a nexus rather than the act of an individual" and called for punishment of those responsible.
Opposition Demands Comprehensive Investigation
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Congress state chief Harshwardhan Sapkal and NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar have both raised concerns about the timing and process. Rohit Pawar emphasized that "a mere stay on certificates is insufficient" and demanded a thorough investigation, alleging that officials collected substantial sums for each certificate issued.
Sapkal questioned on whose orders the approvals were granted, noting that "Ajit dada had strong command over the administration. If such actions occurred in his department soon after his demise, the responsibility ultimately rests with CM Fadnavis." Sena UBT's Ambadas Danve also criticized the government and called for a comprehensive probe into the matter.
Broader Context of Minority Status in Education
Pyare Khan, chairperson of the state minority commission, provided context about the minority status system in Maharashtra. He noted that more than 3,300 educational institutes across the state currently hold minority status, receiving various government benefits as a result.
Khan revealed he had initiated action against some institutes that "operated primarily to secure concessions under the minority tag without passing benefits to students." Several cases were registered against institute owners after a Special Investigation Team investigation uncovered numerous bogus teachers, with even education department officials arrested for aiding these institutions.
The chairperson explained that minority-status schools enjoy exemptions from admitting students under the Right to Education quota and can appoint teachers directly without requiring Teacher Eligibility Test qualifications. Khan alleged that management of many such institutes misused this provision to appoint unqualified relatives, ultimately harming students' educational outcomes.
The stay on certificates represents a significant development in Maharashtra's education administration, with implications for both policy implementation and political accountability in the wake of a prominent leader's passing.
