Nashik: Supreme Court Justice P B Varale has raised concerns over the declining condition of Marathi-medium schools and residential ashramshalas in Maharashtra, saying even a fraction of the funds earmarked for Kumbh infrastructure could have helped prevent scores of schools from shutting down.
Justice Varale made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at an event during a visit to his school in Nashik. Highlighting the need to prioritise education alongside large infrastructure projects, he said he had no objection to government spending on the Kumbh Mela or other development works, but questioned whether a small portion of such allocations could be directed towards strengthening the education system.
Gold Rate
Sept 12,2026 - Time 10.30Hrs
Referring to the expenditure planned for the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Nashik, Justice Varale said that if even 0.1% of the Kumbh allocation were spent on education, it could potentially save more than 100 Marathi-medium schools from closure.
He reportedly referred to the State Government’s proposed spending of around Rs 34,000 crore on Kumbh-related infrastructure and Rs 11,000 crore on a corridor project, observing that the issue was not about opposing development but about ensuring that education received adequate financial attention.
According to information submitted by the Maharashtra Government to the Union Government, a comprehensive Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela Development Plan worth Rs 22,425.39 crore was approved at a meeting of the Apex Committee chaired by the Chief Minister on March 13, 2026. The Nashik Simhastha Kumbh Mela is scheduled to begin in October this year.
Concern over condition of ashramshalas
Justice Varale also expressed concern over the condition of ashramshalas, or residential schools serving students from disadvantaged communities.
Recalling a report he had read about three girl students at an ashramshala who were sleeping on the floor and subsequently died after snake bites, he said the incident highlighted the poor living conditions faced by children in some residential educational institutions.
He observed that the overall condition of several ashramshalas remained unsatisfactory and called for urgent improvements in basic infrastructure and living facilities.
‘Education allocation needs greater priority’
Justice Varale also stressed the need for structural changes in the education system and greater financial commitment to the sector. He noted that the share of the budget allocated to education, which had earlier ranged between 8% and 12%, had declined.
He emphasised that improving educational infrastructure was essential not only for protecting Marathi-medium schools but also for ensuring that children receive a safe and quality learning environment.
His remarks have brought renewed attention to the challenges facing vernacular-medium schools and residential educational institutions in Maharashtra, particularly at a time when the state is preparing for one of the country’s largest religious and cultural gatherings in Nashik.
