Karnataka teacher gets suspension for questioning Union Minister about fertiliser supply

Bidar (Karnataka): A teacher in Karnataka, who had questioned a Union Minister, has been suspended by the Education Department of the state after an apparent audio clip of their conversation went viral.

The action was taken against the teacher Kushal Patil of Hedapura village in Bidar district, for allegedly questioning the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Bhagwanth Khuba about the supply of fertilizers.

According to The Hindu, a telephonic conversation between Khuba and Patil soon turned into a heated exchange as the minister asked him to approach the local officers about any issues related to fertiliser shortage. Khuba can be heard saying that he cannot attend to such minor issues as he is a Union Minister. Patil argued with him and at one point even dared the leader to come to seek votes in his village to win the next election.

According to the viral audio clip, the Union Minister also said that he had already sent fertiliser to the states and asked Mr. Patil, who is said to be the son of a farmer, to approach the local MLA.

"I am the Minister under the Government of India and take care of the states. You should go to your MLA and officers," he is heard saying.

After the audio clip went viral, an inquiry was initiated and a preliminary report was submitted by the local Block Education Officer.

Based on this, the teacher was suspended over "irresponsibility and misconduct by intentionally recording the telephonic conversation and making it viral on social media platforms".

Patil told ANI that he was been punished for asking for fertilizers, as he hails from an agriculture family he faced trouble last season which made him ask the Union Minister.

The teacher said he received the suspension letter dated June 17 on Saturday.