Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde denies writing a letter that recommends educationist Dr Shrenik Kotecha as an honorary advisor for new education initiatives in BMC schools. The dispute centres on the authenticity of the document and whether it originated from her office.
According to reports, an alleged letter dated March 4 says improving education in civic schools and introducing initiatives aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) is the “need of the hour.” It describes Kotecha as a national-level educationist and references his involvement with Maharashtra’s NEP steering committee, adding that he had sought the honorary advisory role due to his experience. Tawde says she does not know Kotecha, and that the letter is fake, not officially inwarded or outwarded from her office, with her signature allegedly forged.
Other officials cited in coverage present conflicting accounts. Education Committee Chairperson Rajashree Shirwadkar is reported to have received the letter and forwarded it. The controversy also draws attention to Kotecha’s prior association with MT (Mahesh Tutorials) Educare, which reports say shut down coaching centres, though sources note his association ended by 2021.
