The suspension of Veeranna Madiwalara, a nationally acclaimed headmaster of a government school in Nidgundi, Raibag taluk, Belagavi, has sparked widespread protests and political backlash across Karnataka.
Known for transforming a modest rural primary school into a nationally recognized model of excellence, Madiwalara was suspended after peacefully demonstrating to demand more classrooms — a plea he had raised repeatedly with authorities. His suspension, officially attributed to “indiscipline,” has been widely criticized as unjust and counterproductive.
Leading the opposition’s charge, BJP State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa condemned the move, calling it “highly condemnable” and a reflection of the Congress government’s apathy toward public education.
“Instead of supporting a man who has brought national recognition to a rural school through sheer dedication, the government has chosen to penalize him. This is an anti-education decision,” said Yediyurappa.
Under Madiwalara’s leadership, the Nidgundi Government Lower Primary School overcame severe infrastructural deficiencies to achieve extraordinary academic and cultural success. The school has been featured in multiple national documentaries and earned accolades for its student-centered approach, despite serving a largely underprivileged and illiterate community.
The suspension has sparked protests from parents, local leaders, educators, and child rights activists, all demanding immediate revocation of the disciplinary action and fulfillment of the school’s infrastructure needs. Demonstrators held placards and shouted slogans, denouncing what they called a “grave injustice” against a teacher who became a beacon of hope for rural education.
“He asked for classrooms, not personal favors. Suspending him for that is a betrayal of every child’s right to quality education,” said one local protester.
So far, the Karnataka Education Department has not issued a formal statement on the matter. Protesters continue to call for Madiwalara’s reinstatement and urgent investment in school infrastructure to ensure that his pioneering work is not undone.