Kerala HC stays teacher’s suspension in Savarkar quiz case

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has temporarily stayed the suspension of a Kasaragod schoolteacher who faced disciplinary action over a quiz question identifying V.D. Savarkar as the freedom fighter who received the harshest punishment from the British.

Justice Viju Abraham stayed the suspension of Guruprasad Rai K., a teacher at Aided Upper Primary School, Pallathadka, for one month. The court, however, permitted the General Education Department and school management to proceed with the disciplinary inquiry against him.

Rai was suspended on August 9 following a controversy over a question prepared for an inter-school Social Science Club Freedom Quiz held in Kasaragod on August 6.

The question asked which freedom fighter had received the maximum punishment from the British, with V.D. Savarkar given as the answer. The issue triggered political controversy, prompting the General Education Department to order an inquiry.

While granting the interim relief, the court observed that suspension was not required for the proper conduct of the inquiry in view of the nature of the allegation against the teacher.

“I’m inclined to pass an interim order staying the operation of the order of suspension for a period of one month. But I’m permitting the disciplinary proceedings to continue,” Justice Abraham said.

The court had initially declined interim relief on August 13 and directed the State government to clarify the specific grounds for Rai’s suspension. Rai had challenged the suspension order, the departmental proceedings and the charge memo issued against him.

General Education Minister N. Samsudheen said the High Court’s interim stay did not amount to a setback for the government.

He said such interim orders were common in matters involving suspension and that the government would present its position before the court.

“The government will explain its stand and the alleged wrongdoing by the teacher before the court,” Samsudheen said.

The CPI(M) had criticised the question, with party leaders alleging that it reflected an attempt to saffronise education. Former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also claimed that presenting Savarkar in such a manner was part of a broader political agenda.

The BJP, meanwhile, supported Rai and objected to his suspension. State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had described the quiz question as historically accurate and demanded that the suspension be revoked.

Samsudheen also referred to the recent killing of a 65-year-old man in Alappuzha, allegedly involving four teenagers, including his 13-year-old relative.

The minister described it as an isolated incident and said schools would further strengthen efforts to educate students against violence and criminal activity.

Police have alleged that the minors targeted Sivankutty of Karuvatta during an attempted theft. Sivankutty was found dead at his home on August 17 while his wife and daughter were at a hospital. His chain and gold kept in the house were reportedly missing.

Investigators suspect the accused had planned to steal money to buy a high-end mobile phone and a motorcycle.