The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed the suspension of a government school teacher who had supervised the preparation of a quiz for an inter-school competition that included a question on V.D. Savarkar as a freedom fighter who received the maximum punishment from the Britishers. The court, however, made it clear that the disciplinary proceedings against the teacher would continue during the period of the stay.
Justice Viju Abraham, hearing the matter in open court, indicated that he was inclined to pass an interim order staying the operation of the suspension order for a period of one month. The judge emphasized that while the suspension would be kept in abeyance, the disciplinary proceedings initiated against the teacher would not be halted and could proceed as per the rules.
The case, WP(C) 27818/2026, titled Guruprasad Rai K. v. State of Kerala and Ors., was filed by the teacher, who challenged the suspension order and related actions taken by the Deputy Director of Education. According to the petition, the quiz was prepared for the 'Social Science Club Freedom Quiz 2026' held on August 6 in Kasargod district. The question in contention asked which freedom fighter received the maximum punishment from the Britishers, with the answer provided as V.D. Savarkar.
The petitioner stated that the inclusion of the question and answer in the quiz led to controversy, prompting an enquiry by the Deputy Director of Education. Based on the enquiry and its recommendation, the petitioner was placed under suspension, and disciplinary proceedings were sought to be initiated against him. The suspension order, as per the plea, was issued under the direction of the Minister of the General Education Department and was alleged to be in violation of the Rules of the Business of the Government of Kerala.