Karnataka teachers suspended for RSS march: Priyank Kharge backs action
Synopsis
Two Karnataka government school teachers have been suspended nearly ten months after allegedly joining an RSS route march in Yadgir — a move backed by Minister Priyank Kharge, who questioned why state employees should participate in what he called an ‘unregistered organisation’. The case puts the spotlight on service rules governing political activity by government employees and deepens Kharge’s ongoing confrontation with the RSS.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on 28 August backed the suspension of two government school teachers in Yadgir district .
The teachers — Annasaheb Deshmukh and Gururaja Joshi — were suspended for allegedly participating in an RSS route march on 10 October 2025 .
The suspension order came nearly ten months after the alleged march, following a complaint by Jummanna Gudimani of the Ambedkar Swabhimani Sene .
Government service rules bar employees from membership in organisations that directly or indirectly engage in political activity.
The case has renewed debate over state employees’ participation in activities linked to politically affiliated organisations.
Karnataka Home, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday, 28 August defended the suspension of two government school teachers in Yadgir district for allegedly participating in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route march, asserting that the Education Department was fully within its rights to initiate disciplinary proceedings if the circumstances warranted it.
What Kharge Said
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?” The minister maintained that the disciplinary action was a departmental matter governed by applicable service rules.
The Suspension Order
The Deputy Director of the Department of School Education in Yadgir issued suspension orders against two teachers for their alleged participation in an RSS route march held on 10 October 2025 — nearly ten months before the action was taken. 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.
How the Complaint Was Filed
The action was initiated following a complaint submitted by Jummanna Gudimani, Yadgir district president of the Ambedkar Swabhimani Sene. Gudimani had reportedly submitted the complaint to Kharge in his capacity as Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister, seeking action against the two teachers. The Education Department first issued notices to the teachers seeking an explanation before proceeding to suspension.
Rules Cited in the Order
The suspension order cited government service rules stipulating that government employees must not be members of any political party or organisations that directly or indirectly participate in political activities. The department held that the teachers’ participation in the RSS route march amounted to a violation of these service rules, and also referred to an alleged lapse in their official duties.
Broader Political Context
The development has reignited a political debate over government employees’ participation in activities linked to organisations with political affiliations. Notably, Priyank Kharge — son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge — has previously stirred controversy with remarks calling on the RSS to register as an organisation and disclose its accounts, a position that has drawn reactions at the national level. This suspension, coming nearly nine months after the alleged march, is likely to intensify that debate further.
Point of View
But it sidesteps the fact that RSS route marches are a longstanding, legally permitted activity across India. The real issue — what service rules actually permit or prohibit for government employees attending civic or cultural events — deserves a clearer, consistently applied standard, not case-by-case enforcement that invites accusations of selective action.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the two Karnataka teachers suspended?
The two teachers, Annasaheb Deshmukh and Gururaja Joshi, were suspended by the Deputy Director of School Education in Yadgir for allegedly participating in an RSS route march on 10 October 2025 while serving as government employees. The suspension order cited violations of service rules that bar government staff from joining organisations engaged in political activities.
Who is Priyank Kharge and why did he comment on the suspension?
Priyank Kharge is Karnataka’s Home, IT and BT Minister and the son of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. He commented because the original complaint was reportedly submitted to him in his capacity as Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister, and he publicly backed the Education Department’s decision to act.
Who filed the complaint against the suspended teachers?
The complaint was filed by Jummanna Gudimani, the Yadgir district president of the Ambedkar Swabhimani Sene. Gudimani reportedly submitted the complaint to Minister Priyank Kharge, seeking disciplinary action against the two teachers.
What service rules were cited in the suspension order?
The order cited government service rules stating that employees must not be members of any political party or organisations that directly or indirectly participate in political activities. The department held that participation in the RSS march amounted to a breach of these rules.
Why did the suspension come nearly ten months after the march?
According to reports, the Education Department first issued notices to the teachers seeking an explanation for their participation before proceeding to suspension. The full sequence of notices, responses, and departmental proceedings accounts for the delay between the October 2025 march and the August 2026 suspension orders.
