Archive · 8 Aug 2026
Savarkar Quiz Question Sparks Row In Kerala Schools
A school quiz in Kerala had a question about a man named Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
The question asked which freedom fighter got the most severe punishment from the British, and the answer was Savarkar.
Some people think Savarkar was a great freedom fighter, but others do not like him because he is linked to a political idea called Hindutva.
When the quiz question spread, many people became upset.
The education minister, N. Shamsudheen, asked for a report about what happened.
Teachers from the Social Science Club had created the quiz questions.
The controversial question was only used in two school districts, Kumbala and Manjeshwar.
Some officials said the question might have been made by a computer program, called AI.
A student group called SFI said the question spread a political message, while the government said the quiz was not organized by the education department.
A question naming Hindutva founder Vinayak Damodar Savarkar at a school Freedom Quiz event on August 6 sparked a major controversy in Kerala.
The question asked LP school students which freedom fighter received the most severe punishment from the British, with the answer given as Savarkar.
General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen ordered General Education Director Snehil Kumar Singh to submit a report on the matter.
The questions, prepared by Social Science Club teachers, were sent to schools in M Kumbala, Manjeshwar, and Kasargod education districts, though only Kumbala and Manjeshwar used the tie-breaker question.
The Students Federation of India (SFI) accused the UDF government led by V. D. Satheesan of enabling Sangh Parivar propaganda through an educational program.
- Who
- General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen, General Education Director Snehil Kumar Singh, LP school students, and the Students Federation of India (SFI), which criticized the UDF government led by V. D. Satheesan.
- What
- A question naming Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the answer in a school Freedom Quiz tie-breaker sparked a controversy and led to the education minister ordering an official report.
- When
- The Freedom Quiz event was held on August 6.
- Where
- Schools under the M Kumbala and Manjeshwar education districts of Kerala, with the controversy surfacing in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Why
- Critics said the question promoted Sangh Parivar propaganda through an educational program, prompting the minister to order a report after the uproar.
Critics (SFI)
Officials and Defenders
Savarkar question in school quiz
Critics (SFI)
Presenting Savarkar as a freedom fighter to children spreads Sangh Parivar propaganda through schools, and the UDF government enabled it.
Officials and Defenders
The quiz was not organized by the education department, the question may have been generated by AI, and only two districts used it; an inquiry is underway.
Responsibility for the quiz content
Critics (SFI)
The government is accountable because the question papers were circulated through education district offices.
Officials and Defenders
Officials noted that the event was not organized by the education department, so the department cannot be held responsible for the questions.
- Event
- School Freedom Quiz
- Date
- August 6
- Location
- Kerala (M Kumbala, Manjeshwar, and Kasargod education districts)
- Controversial question
- Who is the freedom fighter who received the most severe punishment from the British? (Answer: Savarkar)
- Question preparers
- Teachers of the Social Science Club
- Official response
- Minister N. Shamsudheen ordered Director Snehil Kumar Singh to submit a report
- Accusation
- SFI accused the UDF government of enabling Sangh Parivar propaganda