India, Dec. 15 -- Coming amid growing unrest among PhD scholars over fellowships received through government institutions such as BARTI, SARTHI, MAHAJYOTI, TRTI and AMRUT, Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar's statement in the assembly that "Five to six members from the same family are pursuing PhDs only because they receive a Rs.42,000 monthly fellowship", has drawn sharp criticism from academics, research guides and PhD scholars across the state. Educationists have termed the remark as 'irresponsible' and 'ignorant', arguing that it diverts attention from the real crisis of chronic delays in fellowship payments, lack of clear policy, and absence of effective monitoring mechanisms.

Manisha Patil, PhD guide and professor at Shiv...