Kerala witnessed a fresh political storm after a school quiz in Kasaragod district described Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar as a freedom fighter “who received the most severe punishment from the British.”
The phraseology of describing Savarkar, one of the most controversial figures from India’s anti-colonial struggle, triggered immediate controversy, prompting Kerala’s General Education Minister N Samsudheen to order a formal inquiry into how such a question entered the competition.
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The quiz, titled Freedom Quiz, was conducted on August 6 for lower primary students in Kasaragod, Kumbla, and Manjeshwar sub-districts. According to the minister’s office, the contest was neither a part of the official activity calendar of the Social Science Club nor authorised by the General Education Department.
A statement from the minister’s office alleged that the inclusion of the disputed question reflected a prejudiced view and instructed the Education Director to identify those responsible and take strict action.
The incident drew sharp criticism from Left parties and affiliated student organisations. CPI(M) veteran and former chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan accused the Congress-led UDF government of colluding with the RSS, alleging that attempts were underway to rewrite history and glorify Savarkar. He linked the controversy to broader efforts to push the Centre’s new education policy in Kerala.
Former education minister V Sivankutty went further, calling the question an attempt to saffronise the state’s education sector. He demanded a comprehensive probe, withdrawal of the disputed material, and an apology to students and the public. Student organisations also weighed in. SFI state secretary P S Sanjeev argued that the quiz sought to portray Savarkar, whom he described as linked to the conspiracy surrounding Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, as a freedom fighter.
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DYFI state secretary K Sanoj criticised the government for allowing a question that glorified Savarkar to appear in a school-level competition.
Senior IUML leader and former minister M K Muneer acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stating that portraying Savarkar as a patriot aligned with the RSS-BJP agenda. He urged that the matter be examined thoroughly and warned against dismissing it as a minor lapse.
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The controversy highlights the ongoing battle over historical narratives in India’s education system. While Savarkar remains a polarising figure—revered by some for his role in nationalist politics and criticised by others for his ideological positions—the framing of his legacy in school materials has once again ignited partisan clashes in Kerala.
With the inquiry ordered, the state government faces pressure from multiple fronts to ensure accountability and prevent what critics describe as distortion of the freedom struggle from entering classrooms.
