Kerala High Court stays suspension of school teacher over VD Savarkar quiz question

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed an order suspending a school teacher, Guruprasad Rai K, over a quiz question prepared by him which named VD Savarkar as a freedom fighter who received the "most severe punishment" from the British [Guruprasad Rai K v State of Kerala].

Justice Viju Abraham added that the suspension order would be stayed for one month, while ongoing disciplinary proceedings continue against Rai.

"I’m inclined to pass an interim order staying the operation of P3 order of suspension for a period of one month. But I'm permitting the disciplinary proceedings to continue," the judge said.

Detailed order copy awaited.

The case concerned a question prepared for a school quiz in Kasargode. One of the questions from the quiz reportedly asked, “Who was the freedom fighter who received the most punishment from the British?” The answer given was VD Savarkar.

The State's Education Minister later termed this an intentional distortion of history. An inquiry was ordered, and the school teacher who prepared the question was suspended on August 9. He challenged the suspension before the High Court, termining it as politically motivated and violative of relevant rules.

He contended that his suspension was ordered merely on the basis of the Education Minister's oral instructions, which was not permitted under the rules.

Rai (the teacher) further maintained that there was nothing factually wrong with the question and answer in focus, and that his suspension was only ordered because the answer was not palatable to a section of society.

While seeking the State's response in the matter, the Court had earlier orally questioned if a suspension was necessary in this case.

Advocates KS Bharathan, Aadithyan S Mannali, Ronit Zachariah, Sagith Kumar V, Hemanth H, and S Krishna of M/s Lawyer & Lawyer appeared for the teacher.

Special government pleader Muhamood TT appeared for the State.