A large number of minority status certificates issued during state mourning after Ajit Pawar’s death

A new controversy has emerged in the politics of Maharashtra, which has raised serious questions on administrative transparency and procedures. The stir in political circles has intensified after the information about minority status being given to a large number of educational institutions came to light soon after the death of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. It is being told that a total of 75 educational institutions were given this status between January 28 and January 31, 2026, while during this period, three days of state mourning was declared in the state due to the death of Pawar.

The government took the matter seriously

According to sources, the government has taken this entire matter seriously and it is being investigated as to when and under what circumstances the files of these institutions were signed. It is also being investigated whether the relevant documents were signed by Ajit Pawar during his lifetime or there were irregularities or manipulation in the process at some level after his death. A senior official has confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway to get to the bottom of the matter.

Considering this matter as serious, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered a high-level investigation. He has clarified that if any kind of irregularity or violation of rules is revealed in the investigation, then strict action will be taken against the concerned officers and responsible persons. The government says that maintaining transparency in administrative processes is its priority and any kind of negligence will not be tolerated.

Congress raised questions on the functioning of the administration

Meanwhile, Congress has made serious allegations, questioning the functioning of the government and administration. The party says that some influential and financially strong educational institutions allegedly tried to achieve minority status in collusion with the authorities. Congress has demanded a fair investigation into the entire matter, immediate suspension of the responsible officers and strict punitive action against the culprits.

It is noteworthy that Ajit Pawar died in a chartered plane crash on January 28. He was counted among the prominent leaders of Maharashtra politics and had served as Deputy Chief Minister six times in different governments. After his demise, there was an atmosphere of mourning and condolences in the politics of the state, but now this controversy related to minority status certificate is giving rise to a new debate regarding the transparency and credibility of administrative decisions.