Naik's educational background has been a matter of some mystery and considerable controversy. According to an affidavit submitted to the Election Commission at the time of the 2014 Lok Sabha Election, he has a 12th pass from the Maharashtra board in Pune, received in 1995. According to his official website as of 2009, Naik has a Diploma in Dairy Development and Management, and an Advanced Diploma in Computer Hardware and Networks. During his 2009 campaign, the title "Dr." was used by Naik in his campaign literature. This referred to a degree awarded by a group in the United States called the "International Tamil University", a private distance-learning organisation which is not accredited to award degrees in the US, but which claims affiliation with established universities in India. Naik himself claimed to have received the degree for "social commitment", and not as an educational qualification. In April 2009, a petition was filed in
Bombay High Court to prevent him from using the title "Dr" in his campaign material. ==Political career==