Karnataka Suspends 2 Government School Teachers For Participating In RSS March
Two government school teachers in Karnataka have been suspended for participating in an RSS march, which the Education Department deemed a violation of civil service conduct rules. The teachers argued the event was cultural, but the department maintained it constituted a dereliction of duty.
Why it matters
This case highlights the tension between civil service neutrality and the political or ideological participation of government employees in India.
Two government school teachers in Yadgir district have been suspended pending departmental inquiry for participating in RSS Patha Sanchalana, with the Education Department holding that their participation prima facie violated provisions of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.The orders were issued on August 20 by Yadgir Deputy Director of School Education Channabasappa Mudhol against Gururaj Joshi, an assistant teacher at Government Girls' High School in Hunasagi, and Anna Saheb Deshmukh, head teacher of Government Lower Primary School at Kuppi in Surpur taluk.The proceedings said the teachers' participation in the RSS Patha Sanchalana (route marches) amounted to dereliction of duty and violated rules of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.The order said, "Your participation in the RSS Patha Sanchalana prima facie amounts to dereliction of duty and violation of Rules 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), 5(1) and 7 of the KCS Rules."
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