Maharashtra has temporarily halted exemptions for delayed birth and death registrations after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged irregularities in birth certificate issuance across several districts. The decision has sparked criticism, with AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slamming the move, stating that it has left thousands of families struggling to obtain certificates, especially for children born during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owaisi took to X on March 1, urging Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to lift the ban or at least exempt birth certificate requirements for school admissions. He highlighted how children from poor families in Malegaon and other areas are being denied their right to education due to administrative delays.

The controversy stems from allegations that thousands of delayed birth certificates were issued without proper verification. Somaiya cited discrepancies between judicial and tehsildar approvals, pointing out that from January 2021 to December 2023, Akola’s court processed only 269 delayed birth certificates, whereas the tehsildar approved 4,849 cases. Similar irregularities were reported in Yavatmal and Nagpur, with over 16,000 delayed applications processed across both districts.

The Maharashtra government had previously amended the Birth and Death Registration Act of 1969, granting District Magistrates and Sub-Divisional Officers the authority to approve delayed registrations. However, following the allegations of malpractice, the process has now been put on hold, leaving thousands of families in distress as they struggle to secure essential documents for school admissions and other legal requirements.