Karnataka teachers suspended over RSS march, Priyank Kharge backs action

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge backed the suspension of two government school teachers in Yadgir for allegedly participating in an RSS route march. He said the Education Department was within its rights to initiate disciplinary action under applicable service rules

Bengaluru: Karnataka Home, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday backed the suspension of two government school teachers in Yadgir district for allegedly participating in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march, saying the Education Department was within its rights to take action if it found their participation in the programme warranted disciplinary proceedings.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Kharge stated, “That’s left to the Education Department. If someone is participating in some event and the department sees it is fit to take action, they will initiate action. Why should our employees take part in the programme of an unregistered organisation?” Kharge asked.

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The remarks came after the Deputy Director of the Department of School Education in Yadgir issued an order suspending two government teachers for allegedly participating in an RSS route march held on October 10, 2025, after nearly 10 months.

The suspended teachers have been identified as Annasaheb Deshmukh, Head Master of the Government Junior Primary School in Kuppi, Surapura, and Gururaja Joshi, a teacher at the Government Girls Higher Primary School in Hunasagi, also in Surapura taluk of Yadgir district.

According to the suspension order, the two teachers were found to have participated in an RSS route march while serving as government employees. The action was initiated following a complaint filed by Jummanna Gudimani, Yadgir district president of the Ambedkar Swabhimani Sene.

Gudimani had reportedly submitted a complaint to then Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge, seeking action against the teachers.

The government rules cited in the order state that government employees should not be members of any political party or organisations that directly or indirectly participate in political activities.

The order stated that the participation of the two teachers in the RSS route march amounted to a violation of the applicable service rules and also referred to an alleged lapse in their official duties.

The Education Department had first issued notices to the two teachers, seeking an explanation for their participation in the programme. Following their responses and the subsequent proceedings, the department issued suspension orders against them.

The action comes around nine months after the alleged participation in the RSS route march. The development has triggered a political debate, with the participation of government employees in activities associated with organisations having political affiliations coming under scrutiny.

Kharge defended the Education Department’s decision, maintaining that disciplinary action was a matter for the department concerned based on the applicable rules and circumstances of each case.

It can be noted that Priyank Kharge, the son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, has stirred a series of controversies through his attacks on the RSS. His remarks calling for the RSS to provide its accounts and register as an organisation have also sparked a debate at the national level.