The Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) has stayed the suspension of two government school teachers who were suspended for allegedly participating in marches organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The interim stay was granted by the KAT Bench at Kalaburagi while hearing separate petitions filed by teachers Gururaj Joshi and Annasaheb Deshmukh. The order will remain in effect until the next hearing on October 9, 2026.
Teachers Suspended Over RSS Participation
Joshi and Deshmukh are government school teachers in Yadgir district’s Hunasagi taluk. The School Education Department suspended them on August 20, citing their alleged participation in RSS Patha Sanchalana, or route marches, held in October 2025.
The suspension orders were issued by Yadgir Deputy Director of Public Instruction C.S. Mudhol.
The department alleged that participating in the RSS marches amounted to dereliction of duty and violated provisions of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.
Joshi was accused of participating in an RSS route march in Talikoti, Vijayapura district, on October 12, 2025. A photograph of him participating in the event was reportedly published in Vijaya Karnataka.
Deshmukh was accused of participating in an RSS route march in Hunasagi on October 10, 2025.
Both teachers argued that the programmes were held outside working hours and were cultural rather than political in nature.
Tribunal Questions Basis of Suspension
While granting the interim stay, the tribunal observed that the event in question was organised by a non-political organisation and that participation did not violate Rule 5 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.
The tribunal also noted that the state government had not issued any specific notification or order prohibiting government employees from participating in such events.
The KAT has directed the state government and education authorities to file their reply statements and deferred the matter to October 9.
Mudhol told The Hindu that he had received the tribunal’s order and would discuss it with higher authorities before deciding on further action.
The stay allows the two teachers to continue contesting the disciplinary proceedings before the tribunal.
