Savarkar question row; Kasaragod school teacher suspended

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A teacher has been suspended for preparing a controversial quiz questionnaire that praised VD Savarkar at a school in Kasaragod. Guru Prasad, a teacher at Pallathadukka school in Kasaragod, was suspended following a directive from Education Minister N Shamsudheen. The questions for the quiz competition were prepared under his leadership. The suspension order has been issued.

The controversy erupted after a question praising Savarkar appeared in the Freedom Quiz for lower-primary school students in Kasaragod. The questionnaire was distributed to schools in the Manjeshwaram, Kumbla and Kasaragod sub-districts on August 6. The MSF had also filed a complaint over the question, amid growing protests.

The question asked, “Who is the freedom fighter who received the most punishment from the hands of the British?” The answer key listed VD Savarkar as the answer.

The Education Minister had earlier said that an inquiry would be conducted and strict action would be taken against those responsible. He had also clarified that the quiz was not an event included in the activity calendar of either the Social Science Club or the Education Department.

The Kasaragod District Education Deputy Director had sought reports from the Assistant Educational Officers. The teacher was suspended based on the findings of the inquiry, according to reports.