Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 8 -- A quiz question on VD Savarkar at a school-level competition in Kasaragod has triggered a major political and academic controversy in Keralam.

Education Minister N Shamsudheen has directed the Director of General Education to conduct an immediate inquiry and take strict action against those responsible.

The dispute stems from an unapproved "Freedom Quiz" held on August 6 for lower-primary students in Kasaragod, Kumbla, and Manjeshwar sub-districts. The tie-breaker question asked: "Who was the freedom fighter who received the most severe punishment from the British?" with VD Savarkar listed as the expected answer.

Left student and youth groups, including SFI and DYFI, protested, alleging an attempt to glori...