Supreme Court Justice P.B. Varale warned that merely 0.1% of the roughly ₹32,000 crore spent on the Nashik Kumbh could have prevented the closure of 100‑125 Marathi‑medium schools, highlighting a stark education funding gap.

  • Total Kumbh budget estimated at ₹32,000 crore
  • Only 0.1% (≈₹32 crore) could have saved 100‑125 Marathi schools
  • Comment made by Justice P.B. Varale in the Supreme Court

Financial Landscape of the Nashik Kumbh

The 2025 Nashik Kumbh attracted millions of pilgrims and required an unprecedented outlay of about ₹32,000 crore from the central and Maharashtra governments. The bulk of the spending went into infrastructure, security, sanitation, and religious facilities.

Marathi‑Medium Schools in Crisis

Over the past five years, dozens of Marathi‑medium schools across Maharashtra have faced closure due to chronic under‑funding. These institutions are vital for preserving regional language and culture, yet they struggle with deteriorating infrastructure and staff shortages.

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Justice P.B. Varale’s Observation

During a recent hearing, Justice P.B. Varale remarked that allocating just 0.1% of the Kumbh’s expenditure—roughly ₹32 crore—could have kept 100‑125 Marathi schools from shutting down. His statement sparked debate among policymakers and civil‑society groups.

Historical Background

The Kumbh Mela is one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, with a history spanning millennia. While the scale of the event has grown, so has its cost, often outpacing the state’s education budget, which has seen periodic cuts.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that allocating even a fraction of large‑scale event budgets to education can dramatically reduce school closures, fostering social stability and preserving linguistic heritage in Maharashtra.

"Redirecting a small portion of public funds toward education is a strategic imperative for inclusive development," noted education scholar Dr. Anjali Patel.
Did You Know?: More than 2 crore pilgrims attended the 2025 Nashik Kumbh, a 15% increase over the previous record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is 0.1% of the Kumbh budget really about ₹32 crore?

Answer: Yes, 0.1% of ₹32,000 crore equals roughly ₹32 crore, which could fund operational costs for many small to medium schools.

Question 2: Has the government responded to the judge’s comment?

Answer: No official policy shift has been announced yet, but several educational NGOs have begun lobbying for a re‑allocation of festival funds.