Kerala Teacher Suspended Over Controversial Quiz Question Linking Savarkar to Freedom Fighters
Suspension of Teacher in Kerala Due to Quiz Controversy
Thiruvananthapuram, August 9 - The Kerala Department of General Education has ordered the suspension of a school teacher following a controversial answer provided in a quiz questionnaire. Officials reported that in the 'Social Science Club Freedom Quiz-2026', the thinker V. D. Savarkar was described as a freedom fighter who received the most punishment from the British.
This questionnaire was utilized in schools across the Kasaragod district. The Director of General Education, Snehil Kumar Singh, issued the suspension order for Guru Prasad, a teacher at the 'Aided Upper Primary School' (AUPS) in Pallathadka, effective immediately.
The decision was made based on a report submitted by the Deputy Education Director of Kasaragod following an investigation into the controversy. According to officials, the Social Science Club Freedom Quiz-2026 was conducted on August 6 for students in lower primary, upper primary, and high school classes in the Kumblai and Manjeshwar sub-districts.
The lower primary questionnaire contained 15 questions along with five tie-breaker questions. One of the questions asked, 'Which freedom fighter received the most punishment from the British?' and the answer provided was V. D. Savarkar. This particular question and its answer sparked significant controversy and led to widespread protests, prompting education officials to initiate an inquiry.
The Marxist Communist Party (CPI-M) and leftist student and youth organizations also criticized the issue. They accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of allowing the 'Sangh Parivar agenda' to infiltrate the education sector. Senior CPI-M leader Pinarayi Vijayan accused the UDF government of colluding with the RSS, claiming there are attempts to 'conceal the true history of Savarkar' and glorify him.
According to the order from the Director of General Education, the questionnaire was prepared by a team of teachers led by Guru Prasad. Following the investigation, the Deputy Education Director recommended disciplinary action against the responsible teachers. The General Education Department has also instructed the school manager to initiate departmental disciplinary proceedings against Guru Prasad under Kerala education regulations. Additionally, the department has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter and directed the Deputy Education Director to submit a report on the actions taken after completing the necessary procedures.