Move aimed at targeting the Muslim community, claim opposition leaders
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The Maharashtra government’s recent formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe allegations of fraudulent birth certificates issued to Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims in Malegaon has sparked widespread criticism among local leaders and residents. The SIT, established under the leadership of the Special Inspector General of Police, Nashik Zone, has been tasked with verifying claims made by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that nearly 1,000 Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims had acquired Indian citizenship through fake birth certificates issued by local authorities.
However, several prominent political figures from Malegaon have denounced the investigation as politically motivated, aimed at defaming the city and targeting its Muslim population. Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Dhule, Shobha Bacchav, criticised the BJP’s actions, stating, “This is nothing but negative politics. Such baseless allegations are being levelled to spread communal tension and divide the people of Malegaon.”
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of the SIT after Somaiya raised concerns about what he termed a “Bangladeshi-Rohingya birth certificate scam.” The SIT comprises senior officials, including the Additional Collector of Nashik, the Additional Superintendent of Police (Malegaon), and the Joint Commissioner for Urban Development (Nashik). The SIT has been given a six-month deadline to examine whether birth certificates were issued improperly and, if proven, how they facilitated the citizenship process for the accused individuals.
The government’s move has raised eyebrows among opposition leaders who question the necessity of such a high-level probe for what they consider routine administrative issues. Former Malegaon MLA Sheikh Asif stated, “SITs are formed to investigate serious crimes. Deploying one just for verifying birth certificates is clearly an attempt to harass the Muslim community and create panic.”
Political figures across party lines have voiced their opposition. Malegaon Central MLA Mufti Muhammad Ismail remarked, “The voters of Malegaon did not support Sheikh Hasina or Khaleda Zia; they voted for Dr Shobha Bacchav of the INDIA bloc. This entire controversy is an attempt to undermine our electoral choice and vilify the Muslim community.”
Samajwadi Party leader Mohammad Mustaqim also condemned the SIT formation, asserting, “Malegaon has been repeatedly targeted since the elections. This baseless probe is a continuation of the BJP’s efforts to malign the city’s image.”
Contrary to Somaiya’s allegations, Malegaon Tehsildar Pushpa Solanke clarified that her office issued 569 birth certificates last year, including 485 to Muslims and 84 Hindus. “There is no question of fake birth certificates. All were issued following due process, and around 1,000 applications are still pending for scrutiny,” she stated.
Further disputing Somaiya’s claims, Solanke added that birth certificates were issued based on legitimate documents and that no irregularities had been done in the process.
Local leaders have expressed fears that the SIT probe could lead to targeted harassment of the Muslim community in Malegaon. Many view it as part of a larger pattern of communal targeting. “Such actions create unnecessary tension and tarnish the peaceful fabric of our city,” said former MLA Sheikh Asif.
Adding to these concerns, the Maharashtra government has expanded the probe to other regions, including Anjangaon Surji, where a separate committee has been formed to investigate similar allegations.
The controversy follows the government’s 2023 amendment to the Registration of Birth and Deaths Act, which allowed local tehsil offices to issue birth certificates for home births. Somaiya has alleged that this provision was misused to grant citizenship to foreigners without proper verification.
However, critics argue that the accusations are being used selectively against Muslim-majority areas. “Malegaon has always been a target for such communal narratives. It’s an attempt to marginalise our community and question our loyalty to the nation,” said Mufti Muhammad Ismail.
Local leaders have urged the state government to conduct the investigation transparently without unfairly targeting any community. “We demand a fair probe without any communal bias. The integrity of Malegaon’s residents must not be questioned based on politically motivated claims,” said Shobha Bachchan.
As tensions rise, residents of Malegaon continue to demand justice and an impartial inquiry, emphasising that their city should not be used as a political battleground for communal polarisation.
