Kerala orders probe into school quiz naming Savarkar as most punished freedom fighter

A quiz question identifying V.D. Savarkar as the freedom fighter who received the most severe punishment from the British has sparked a political controversy in Kerala, prompting the state's Education Minister to order an investigation. The incident, which occurred during an unauthorized school competition in the Kasaragod district, has drawn sharp criticism from Left student organizations and ignited a debate over historical narratives in education.

The controversy centers on a "Freedom Quiz" conducted on August 6 for lower primary school students in the Kumbla and Manjeshwaram subdistricts of Kasaragod. According to reports, the tiebreaker question asked, "Who is the freedom fighter who received the most severe punishment from the British?" with V.D. Savarkar indicated as the expected answer. The quiz was prepared by teachers associated with the Social Science Club Association but was not part of the official activity calendar of the Education Department or the Social Science Club.

Following the incident, State General Education Minister N. Shamsudheen sought an immediate report from the Director of General Education. The minister stated that the competition was not an...