The suspension of Veeranna Madiwalar, headmaster of a Government Lower Primary School in a Belagavi village, has triggered widespread criticism. Madiwalar was suspended by the Department of School Education and Literacy after he staged a peaceful protest demanding better infrastructure for his school.

Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra called the move “cruel” and demanded immediate reinstatement, highlighting that Madiwalar’s protest followed multiple unsuccessful attempts to improve school conditions through official channels.

Support has poured in from education bodies as well. The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, urging them to address the issues Madiwalar raised, stating, “The government must encourage those raising their voice on behalf of the students.”

Chandrashekar Nugli, General Secretary of the Karnataka State Primary Teachers’ Association, confirmed discussions with officials and affirmed support: “His demands were legal, and he was fighting for the rights of the children. We will press for the revocation of Madiwalar’s suspension.”

This isn’t Madiwalar’s first clash with the department—he was previously issued a notice in 2022 for a poem critical of the government’s school merger policy.

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