Pune, 18 June 2025: Finance Minister Ajit Pawar is facing criticism from OBC leaders for giving more funds to institutions supporting Maratha and Kunbi students, while neglecting those meant for Other Backward Classes (OBC). Leaders Laxman Hake and Mangesh Sasane have warned that they will launch an agitation if the government does not allot Rs 1,500 crore to ‘Mahajyoti’ and the Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation soon. They addressed this issue at a press conference today.

Mangesh Sasane shared detailed figures showing the unfair distribution of funds. He pointed out that ‘Sarathi’ and ‘Annasaheb Patil Mahamandal’ have received large amounts and good facilities, while ‘Mahajyoti’ and the OBC Corporation get very little money and poor office space. He demanded that two floors from the ‘Sarathi’ office should be given to ‘Mahajyoti’ students to solve their space problems.

Sasane claimed that ‘Sarathi’ has been given 10 hectares of land for offices in different districts and has already received funds worth Rs 1,360 crore. ‘Annasaheb Patil Mahamandal’ has got loans worth Rs 1,063 crore. In comparison, ‘Mahajyoti’ has received only Rs 150 crore so far, and the Backward Classes Corporation has got loans of just Rs 398 crore.

Laxman Hake highlighted how this affects students directly. He said that while ‘Sarathi’ students get a stipend of Rs 9 lakh for research, many backward class students are forced to quit their education as they do not get any fellowship. According to him, about 555 students have dropped out due to lack of financial support.

Both leaders blamed Finance Minister Ajit Pawar for giving secondary treatment to OBC students and warned that if this injustice continues, OBC communities will show their strength in the upcoming local body elections. They appealed to OBC MLAs, MPs and ministers to stand up for their community’s rights and demand equal or higher funding for ‘Mahajyoti’.