Minority Status Scandal: 75 Approvals Post Ajit Pawar's Tragic Death

A senior Maharashtra government official has faced disciplinary action following an incident involving the rapid approval of minority status to 75 educational institutions. This occurred after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar tragically passed away in a plane crash. The removed official, Milind Padmanabh Shenoy, was linked to the expedited approvals.

The approvals began just hours after the deputy chief minister's death, raising suspicions of procedural shortcuts. Consequently, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis halted the approvals and initiated a high-level inquiry to investigate the matter, ensuring all administrative protocols were adhered to and identifying any potential irregularities.

This incident has spurred calls for accountability, with the State Minority Commission demanding a thorough examination and potential CID involvement. The Commission also plans to scrutinize over 8,500 minority institutions statewide. Minority status provides significant benefits, fueling concerns over the integrity of the approval process.