Political Controversy Erupts Over Quiz Question on Savarkar in Kerala Schools

A political storm has erupted in Kerala after a school quiz labeled VD Savarkar as a freedom fighter who received the harshest punishment from the British. The state's General Education Minister has ordered an investigation into the quiz's origins and the individuals responsible. This incident has drawn sharp criticism from various political factions, including the CPI-M, which accuses the UDF government of aligning with the RSS's agenda. Calls for accountability and a public apology from the General Education Department have emerged, highlighting the ongoing debate over historical narratives in education. The controversy raises questions about the portrayal of historical figures in school curricula and the implications for Kerala's educational policies.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 9, 2026, 08:35 IST

Controversy Arises from School Quiz in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, August 8 - A political uproar has emerged in Kerala following a school quiz that referred to Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar as the 'freedom fighter who received the harshest punishment from the British government.' The state's General Education Minister, N. Shamsudheen, has ordered an investigation into the matter. According to a statement released by the minister's office on Saturday, Shamsudheen has instructed the Director of General Education to determine who prepared the quiz and who organized the related event.

The statement indicated that Shamsudheen has also directed strict action against those responsible. On August 6, a 'Freedom Quiz' was conducted for students in primary schools across the Kasaragod, Kumbla, and Manjeshwaram sub-districts. It was noted that this quiz was neither part of the social science club nor included in the activity calendar of the General Education Department.

Furthermore, it was mentioned that neither entity had authorized anyone to prepare questions or independently conduct the competition. The statement criticized the individual who included historically inaccurate questions, labeling their perspective as biased. The General Education Minister has tasked the education director with identifying those accountable and taking stringent measures against them. One of the controversial questions asked was, 'Which freedom fighter received the harshest punishment from the British?' with Savarkar's name provided as the answer.

Reports suggest that the quiz was prepared by teachers associated with the social science club. The Marxist Communist Party (CPI-M) and leftist student organizations have reacted sharply to this incident, accusing the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of aligning with the 'Sangh Parivar's agenda.'

CPI-M senior leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, accused the UDF government of colluding with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He stated that there are attempts to conceal Savarkar's 'true history' while glorifying him. Vijayan alleged during a press conference in Kannur that the central government and RSS are 'attempting to rewrite history.'

He emphasized that this issue should also be viewed in the context of the central government's efforts to implement its new education policy in Kerala. Former General Education Minister V. Shivan Kutty accused the quiz of being part of an effort to 'saffronize' the state's education sector and distort the history of the freedom struggle. He found it objectionable to portray Savarkar as a freedom fighter who received the harshest punishment from the British.

He claimed that this question equates to promoting 'false history.' He called for a thorough investigation into the matter and demanded strict action against those responsible. Additionally, he insisted that the General Education Department should apologize to students and the public for the controversial question.

The state secretary of the CPI-M's student wing, the Students Federation of India (SFI), P.S. Sanjeev, alleged that the purpose of the quiz was to depict Savarkar as a freedom fighter. He pointed out that Savarkar was one of the accused in the conspiracy to assassinate Mahatma Gandhi. In a social media post, Sanjeev stated, 'Under the UDF government in Kerala, the General Education Department is under the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).'

He added that this government is attempting to fabricate the role of the Sangh Parivar in the freedom struggle, which betrayed the independence movement. K. Sanoj, a legislator from Mattannur and state secretary of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), also criticized the government on this issue. He stated that there was no justification for including a question in the quiz that allegedly glorified Savarkar.

Senior IUML leader and former state minister M.K. Munir remarked that presenting Savarkar as a patriot is part of the RSS and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) agenda. Munir insisted that if such a question was indeed included in the quiz, it should be thoroughly investigated, and those responsible should be identified. He stressed that this matter should not be taken lightly.