Why Karnataka tribunal stayed teacher’s suspension for attending RSS rally

On October 12, 2025, an assistant school teacher from Karnataka, Gururaj Joshi, was preparing to participate in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) rally when the Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal intervened. The tribunal stayed the suspension order issued against Joshi for attending the rally in Hunasagi, Yadgir district, and Talikote, Vijayapura district.

The tribunal deemed Joshi's participation not a violation of the Karnataka State Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, asserting that his act was not in violation of rules as it was organized by a non-political party. The tribunal also noted there was no government order prohibiting government officials from participating in such events.

Joshi, who worked at Government Girls’ High School in Hunasagi, had challenged the suspension order, arguing it was an act of "dereliction of duty." The tribunal, however, stayed the order pending further hearing. In a similar case, Praveen Kumar KP, a panchayat development officer, had also been suspended for attending an RSS rally in Raichur district.

The tribunal had set aside the suspension order in that case as well, maintaining the same stance on the non-political nature of the RSS event.