Kerala school quiz on Savarkar sparks political row, minister orders probe

The Kerala general education department has ordered an inquiry into a school quiz question that identified Vinayak Damodar Savarkar as the freedom fighter who received the "most severe punishment" from the British, triggering a political row in the state.

The "Freedom Quiz" was held on August 6 for lower primary students in the Kasaragod, Kumbla and Manjeshwar sub-districts, according to the PTI news agency. The disputed question asked: "Who is the freedom fighter that received the most severe punishment from the British?" with Savarkar listed as the correct answer.

General education minister N Samsudheen has directed the director of general education to establish who prepared and conducted the quiz and to take stringent action against those responsible, the minister's office said.

The office said the quiz was not included in the activity calendar of either the Social Science Club or the General Education Department, and no one had been authorised to independently prepare questions or conduct the competition. "The person who included the historically incorrect question holds a prejudiced view," the minister's office said.

According to PTI, teachers associated with the Social Science Club had prepared the questionnaire.

The controversy has drawn criticism from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Left-affiliated student and youth organisations, which accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of allowing what they described as a "Sangh Parivar agenda" to enter the education system.

Former chief minister and CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan accused the UDF government of "colluding" with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and alleged that efforts were being made to conceal Savarkar's history and glorify him. Addressing a press conference in Kannur, Vijayan said the Centre and the RSS were attempting to "rewrite history". He also linked the controversy to the Centre's efforts to implement its new education policy in Kerala.

Former general education minister V Sivankutty also criticised the question, alleging it was part of an attempt to "saffronise" Kerala's general education sector and distort the history of India's freedom struggle. He demanded a comprehensive inquiry, strict action against those responsible, and the withdrawal of the disputed question.

SFI state secretary P S Sanjeev alleged that the quiz sought to portray Savarkar as a freedom fighter. In a social media post, he criticised the UDF government and alleged that the general education portfolio was being used to create space for the Sangh Parivar.

DYFI state secretary K Sanoj also criticised the government, saying there was no justification for a school quiz to contain a question that allegedly glorified Savarkar.

Senior Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and former minister M K Muneer said portraying Savarkar as a patriot was part of the RSS-BJP agenda. However, he said if the question had indeed been included in the quiz, the matter should be seriously examined and those responsible identified, adding that it should not be treated lightly.

Savarkar, a freedom fighter and political thinker, remains a polarising figure in Indian politics. While he is celebrated by some for his role in the independence movement, others criticise him for his ideological positions and his alleged role in conspiracy cases. The quiz controversy has reignited debates over how historical figures are taught in schools.

The inquiry is expected to determine who was responsible for the questioned quiz and whether any disciplinary action is warranted.