The Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal (KSAT) has stayed the suspension of Praveen Kumar K.P., a Panchayat Development Officer from Raichur district, who was earlier suspended for participating in a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) centenary event. The case had sparked a political confrontation between the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP.
Kumar, posted in Sirwar taluk, attended an RSS route march in Lingsugur on 12 October 2025 wearing the organisation’s uniform and carrying a stick. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Department suspended him on grounds of violating Rule 3 of the Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, which mandates political neutrality and conduct consistent with public service.
The suspension order, issued by IAS officer Arundhati Chandrashekar, described his participation as “inconsistent with the standards expected of a public servant.” Kumar was placed under suspension with subsistence allowance pending inquiry.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the suspension, calling it “illegal and unlawful.” He stated on social media that he had spoken to the officer and would “personally appear before the concerned tribunal and courts to challenge” the decision, citing previous court rulings upholding government servants’ right to participate in RSS programmes.
I have spoken to the officer suspended for taking part in RSS Pathsanchalan by the State Government.
Assured him that I will personally appear before the concerned tribunal and courts to challenge this illegal and unlawful suspension.
There are multiple judgements from across… pic.twitter.com/mQF8cKLLZm
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 18, 2025
On 30 October 2025, Surya confirmed that the KSAT had stayed the suspension. In a post on X, he wrote, “My law office had challenged the arbitrary suspension of PDO Praveen Kumar for participating in the RSS Pathasanchalana in Lingasugur, Raichur, before the Hon’ble Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal. KSAT has today stayed the suspension order which was mechanically passed due to political pressure. This should serve as a lesson to the Congress Govt that no amount of intimidation can deter the nation-building ideals of RSS.”
My law office had challenged the arbitrary suspension of PDO Praveen Kumar for participating in the RSS Pathasanchalana in Lingasugur, Raichur, before the Hon’ble Karnataka State Administrative Tribunal.
KSAT has today stayed the suspension order which was mechanically passed… https://t.co/uCaXnbTwlQ
— Tejasvi Surya (@Tejasvi_Surya) October 30, 2025
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