2 weeks ago
Kerala High Court seeks government reply on Savarkar quiz suspension
A teacher in Kerala made a quiz for students at his school.
One question asked which freedom fighter was punished the most by the British.
The answer he wrote was Savarkar, a well-known but controversial figure in India's history.
Many people got angry about this question.
The government suspended the teacher from his job.
The teacher thought that was unfair, so he went to court.
The High Court in Kerala asked the government to explain why the teacher was suspended.
The government has to answer by August 17.
Meanwhile, some student and youth groups held protests about the question.
The Kerala High Court sought the state government's response to suspended teacher Guruprasad Rai K.'s plea over a controversial Savarkar quiz question.
The dispute centres on the 'Social Science Club Freedom Quiz 2026' held on August 6, which listed Savarkar as the answer to a freedom fighter question.
Justice Viju Abraham granted the government until August 17 to explain the reasons for the suspension.
The petitioner alleges the suspension was ordered at the direction of General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen and violated the Kerala Education Act.
SFI, MSF and DYFI protested, with SFI alleging the question sought to portray Savarkar as a freedom fighter.
- Who
- Guruprasad Rai K., the suspended teacher; General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen; and Justice Viju Abraham of the Kerala High Court.
- What
- The Kerala High Court sought the state government's response to the teacher's plea challenging his suspension and disciplinary proceedings over the quiz question.
- Where
- Kerala High Court in Kochi; the quiz was held in Kasaragod, with the disputed tie-breaker section used only in Kumbla and Manjeshwar.
- When
- The High Court acted on a Thursday; the quiz was held on August 6, and the government must respond by August 17.
- Why
- The teacher was suspended after the quiz gave Savarkar as the answer to a freedom fighter question, triggering a political controversy.
Government and critics supporting disciplinary action
Suspended teacher challenging the action
Legality of the teacher's suspension
Government and critics supporting disciplinary action
The government suspended Guruprasad Rai K. and initiated disciplinary proceedings based on the Deputy Director of Education's inquiry and its recommendation, after Minister Shamsudheen directed stringent action against those responsible for the disputed question.
Suspended teacher challenging the action
The petitioner challenges the suspension, memo of charges and DDE communication, contending the action was taken at the direction of General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen, contrary to the Rules of Business and in violation of the Kerala Education Act.
Official status of the quiz
Government and critics supporting disciplinary action
The minister clarified that the quiz was not part of the official activity calendar of either the Social Science Club or the Education Department, and that the disputed tie-breaker section was used only in Kumbla and Manjeshwar.
Suspended teacher challenging the action
The department still conducted an inquiry and is examining whether artificial intelligence was used in preparing the question paper, while the petitioner challenges the communications and disciplinary proceedings arising from that process.
Key facts
- Court
- Kerala High Court (Kochi)
- Presiding judge
- Justice Viju Abraham
- Suspended teacher
- Guruprasad Rai K.
- Quiz
- Social Science Club Freedom Quiz 2026
- Quiz date
- August 6
- Government reply deadline
- August 17
- Disputed question
- "Which freedom fighter received the maximum punishment from the Britishers?" (answer: Savarkar)
- Disputed section used in
- Kumbla and Manjeshwar
Quotes
Guruprasad Rai K.
Teacher who supervised the quiz in Kasaragod
“The suspension of the teacher was taken at the direction of the Education Minister, which is contrary to the Rules of Business of the Kerala government.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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