Kerala Teacher Suspended Over Controversial Quiz Question Regarding Savarkar
A teacher in Kerala has been suspended due to a controversial quiz question that identified Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the freedom fighter who faced the most punishment from the British. This incident has ignited widespread protests and political debates, with various parties weighing in on the matter. The education department's investigation led to disciplinary actions against the teacher, while the BJP has voiced strong opposition to the suspension, asserting that the teacher will prove his innocence. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the educational landscape of Kerala.
Aug 10, 2026, 16:47 IST
Suspension of Teacher in Kerala Due to Quiz Controversy
The Kerala government has suspended a school teacher following a contentious quiz question that referred to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the "freedom fighter who received the most punishment from the British." The General Education Director issued an immediate suspension order for Guru Prasad, a teacher at the Aided Upper Primary School (AUPS) in Pallathadka, Kasaragod. This decision was made based on a report submitted after an investigation by the Deputy Director of the education department.
On August 6, a school-level event titled 'Social Science Club Freedom Quiz 2026' was held for students in the lower primary, upper primary, and high school sections across schools in the Kumbla and Manjeshwar sub-districts. The quiz for the lower primary section included a set of 15 questions along with five tie-breaker questions.
The fifth question asked, "Which freedom fighter received the most punishment from the British?" to which Savarkar's name was provided as the answer. This particular question sparked widespread controversy and protests, prompting education officials to initiate an inquiry. The CPI(M) and various leftist student and youth organizations criticized the incident, accusing the Congress-led UDF government of promoting a "Sangh Parivar agenda" in the education sector. Conversely, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed strong objections to Guru Prasad's suspension, emphasizing that it is a historical fact that Savarkar spent the longest time in prison during the freedom struggle.
They asserted that the government cannot tarnish Guru Prasad's reputation, as he will be able to prove his innocence in any court. He is expected to receive his salary and other benefits with interest. The BJP also pledged to support the teacher in every possible way, stating that "those engaging in vote-bank politics will be defeated." According to the General Education Director's order, Guru Prasad was the head of the team responsible for preparing the question paper. Following the investigation, the Deputy Director of the education department recommended disciplinary action against the responsible teachers. The General Education Department has also instructed the school management to initiate departmental disciplinary proceedings against Guru Prasad under the Kerala Education Rules.