Justice Prasanna Varale Slams Kumbh Spending Over Shutting Marathi Schools

Justice Prasanna B. Varale of the Supreme Court has expressed worry about the closure of Marathi medium schools in Maharashtra. He has questioned the priorities of the state government with regard to its expenses. While addressing an event in a school in Dhule on Monday, Justice Varale said that just some portion of the funds which were used for the Kumbh Mela and other costly projects would be sufficient to keep these schools open. Justice Varale also pointed out the conditions of the Ashram schools and slow growth in the state’s education budget.

Money Spent On Kumbh Mela Could Have Helped To Save Marathi Schools

Justice Varale said that it was known to the state government that it had reserved Rs 34,000 crore for the Kumbh Mela. Moreover, the state government had also planned to spend Rs 11,000 crore on a project apart from spending many crores on developmental projects. According to Justice Varale, it is nothing wrong if the government spends such amounts of money. He said that even an insignificant part of the money would have helped. Even if only 0.1 percent of it, that is Rs 32 crore, was utilized, it would have been sufficient to save at least 100 to 150 Marathi schools from closure. It is really heartbreaking to witness the closure of many Marathi schools. Loss of these Marathi schools is indeed a matter of concern, he further added.

Inadequate Infrastructure Forces Girl Students to Sleep on the Floor

The judge went on to discuss the issue of inadequate infrastructure in Ashram schools. It emerged that girl students had been forced to sleep on the floor owing to the non-availability of infrastructure. The judge warned that unless the situation changed, many students learning in Marathi medium would eventually fail. Justice Varale said that he only wanted to help improve education for these students. He appreciated the cooperation shown by the Minister of Education in this regard. He asked that classrooms and teachers be provided for the students. He also asked that toilets and drinking water be provided for them.