Kerala govt suspends teacher after Savarkar question in quiz; BJP slams move
The Kerala government has suspended a school teacher over a controversial answer in a quiz questionnaire that described Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the
The Kerala government has suspended a school teacher over a controversial answer in a quiz questionnaire that described Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the freedom fighter "who received the maximum punishment at the hands of the British," officials said. The Director of General Education issued an order directing the immediate suspension of Guru Prasad, a teacher at the Aided Upper Primary School (AUPS) Pallathadkaa in Kasaragod. The action came following a report submitted by the Deputy Director of Education after an enquiry. Read Full Story According to officials, Social Science Club Freedom Quiz 2026, a school-level event, was conducted on August 6 for students in the Lower Primary, Upper Primary and High School sections in schools in the Kumbla and Manjeshwar sub-districts.
There were 15 questions and five tie-breaker questions in the questionnaire meant for the Lower Primary section. The fifth question asked, "Who is the freedom fighter who received the maximum punishment at the hands of the British?" and listed Savarkar as the answer, officials said. The question and answer sparked a massive controversy and widespread protests, prompting education authorities to initiate an enquiry. The issue drew criticism from the CPI(M) and Left student and youth outfits, which accused the Congress-led UDF government of allowing the "Sangh Parivar agenda" to enter the education sector. On the other hand, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) raised strong objections against Guru Prasad's suspension, with party leader K Surendran saying, "It is a historical fact that VD Savarkar spent the longest period in prison in connection with the freedom struggle." "This government cannot do a thing to Master Guru Prasad.
He will be able to prove his innocence in any court. He will receive his salary and other benefits, along with interest," he said. The BJP has also promised all support to the teacher and said that the "vote-bank politicians will be defeated." According to the Director of General Education's order, Guru Prasad led the team of teachers that prepared the question paper. The Deputy Director of Education recommended disciplinary action against the teachers responsible after the inquiry. The General Education Department has also directed the school's management to begin departmental disciplinary proceedings against Guru Prasad under Kerala Education Rules.
The BriefWire