On Friday, the Maharashtra government withdrew its order to allocate ₹10 crore for the functioning and strengthening of the Maharashtra State Board of Waqf. This move came after opposition and concerns about the legality of the decision, particularly as it was made under a caretaker government.
State Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik issued the withdrawal after a public outcry, including a pledge from the government to investigate the timing and legality of the order once the new government takes office.
BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhye was one of the first to raise alarms, posting on social media that a caretaker government lacks the authority to make policy decisions. “Currently, there is a caretaker govt in Maharashtra, and it does not have the authority to take a policy decision,” Upadhye wrote.
Later in the afternoon, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis echoed similar concerns. He said that it was inappropriate for the caretaker administration to release funds for the Waqf Board, especially under such circumstances. “Once the new govt is formed, this will be investigated,” Fadnavis stated on social media.
