The action was initiated after a complaint from BJP lawmaker Pritam Lodhi, who accused the teacher, Saket Purohit, of attempting to provoke unrest
NEW DELHI — There is no room for dissent in the Narendra Modi-led government; the voices criticising the government and policies have been silenced with punitive actions and, at times, imprisonment.
A government school teacher, Saket Purohit, in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, was recently suspended after posting a 58-second video online. The video showed him mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commenting on the rising cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Shivpuri district is a largely rural region in northern Madhya Pradesh, about 300 km south of New Delhi.
According to media reports reaching here on Tuesday, the disciplinary action against the teacher was initiated after a complaint from BJP lawmaker Pritam Lodhi, who represents the Pichhore constituency in the state assembly. Lodhi accused Purohit of attempting to provoke unrest. The district education officer then suspended Purohit for “gross indiscipline” and violating civil service conduct rules.
Purohit has stated that he was not allowed to respond to the allegations, sparking a debate about political intolerance and freedom of expression, especially for public sector employees in the country.
Observers note that this incident reflects a shrinking tolerance for political criticism within India’s public institutions, particularly in states governed by the BJP. Public employees face strict rules that can restrict speech deemed political or disruptive.
The suspension of the teacher comes amid growing public frustration over increasing household fuel costs in India, with domestic LPG cylinder prices having recently risen by about Rs 60.
Energy analysts say fuel prices in India remain highly sensitive to international supply disruptions, including instability in West Asia that affects global oil and gas markets.
However, political debate around energy prices has increasingly moved onto social media, where users often circulate satirical videos and criticism of government policy.
Observers say the suspension highlights broader concerns about shrinking tolerance for political criticism in India’s public institutions, where employees face strict conduct rules restricting speech that authorities deem political or disruptive.
