The Karnataka Administrative Tribunal (KAT) Bench at Kalaburagi has stayed the suspension of two government school teachers who were suspended for taking part in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) route marches. The interim relief was given while hearing separate petitions filed by Gururaj Joshi and Annasaheb Deshmukh. Notably, the KAT highlighted that RSS, which is a non-political organisation, was in charge of the event.
RSS not a political party: Karnataka tribunal stays teacher's suspension for attending RSS event
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The stay will continue until the next hearing, which has been scheduled for 9th October, 2026. The tribunal has also asked the Congress government and education authorities to submit their reply statements.
Teachers challenged the suspension orders
Joshi and Deshmukh work as government school teachers in Hunasagi taluk of Yadgir district of Karnataka. The suspension orders were issued on 20th August 2026 by Yadgir Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) C.S. Mudhol.
The department had taken action over their participation in RSS Patha Sanchalana (route marches) held in October 2025. The department said such participation allegedly amounted to dereliction of duty and went against several provisions of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.
The suspension orders referred to Rules 3(1), 3(2), 3(3), 5(1) and 7 of the KCS Rules. According to the department, government employees cannot be members of political parties or organisations involved in politics, associate themselves with such organisations or take part in agitations.
Events took place outside working hours
The two teachers maintained that the RSS programmes they attended were held outside their working hours. They also said the events were cultural in nature and not political programmes.
Joshi was accused of taking part in an RSS Patha Sanchalana at Talikoti in Vijayapura district on 12th October 2025. A photograph showing his participation was reportedly published in Vijaya Karnataka.
Deshmukh was accused of participating in an RSS route march held at Hunasagi on 10th October 2025.
After the department suspended them, both teachers approached the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal, challenging the orders and seeking relief.
Tribunal raises questions over conduct rules
While granting the interim stay, the KAT observed that a non-political organisation arranged the event. The tribunal held that participation in such an event did not violate the restrictions under Rule 5 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021.
The tribunal also pointed out that the state government had not issued any specific notification or order prohibiting government employees from participating in such events.
Based on these observations, the tribunal put the suspension orders on hold. The state government and education authorities have been given an opportunity to present their side before the matter is considered further.
DDPI C.S. Mudhol said he had only recently received the tribunal’s order while talking to The Hindu. He said he would discuss the matter with higher authorities before deciding what action to take next.
