A government school teacher in Telangana’s Khammam district has resigned from her position several months after being suspended over allegations that she promoted a private educational institution through Instagram content.
The teacher, Bhukya Gauthami, had been serving as an English School Assistant at Mamillagudem High School. She announced her decision to resign through a video shared on social media, stating that the prolonged controversy and its aftermath had become emotionally overwhelming.
Suspension Followed Allegations Related to Social Media
The controversy began earlier this year when education authorities suspended Gauthami over allegations that she had used Instagram reels to promote admissions for a private school while serving as a government teacher.
According to the allegations, the content raised concerns about possible conflicts with her official responsibilities.
In response, Gauthami publicly denied neglecting her teaching duties. She stated that the videos in question were recorded at her home outside school hours and maintained that she had continued to perform her responsibilities as a government teacher throughout her service.
As of publication, the allegations and her response remain matters of public record. Hunterfly has not independently verified the claims made by either side.
Teacher Cites Emotional Strain in Resignation
In her resignation announcement, Gauthami said she had faced continuous criticism, online trolling and emotional distress following the suspension.
She also alleged that she experienced difficulties during interactions with education department officials after seeking reinstatement. According to her account, these experiences contributed significantly to her decision to leave government service.
The education department has not publicly responded to the specific allegations described in her resignation video at the time of publication.
A Career Dedicated to Education
Reflecting on her career, Gauthami said she entered the teaching profession with the encouragement of her family and remained committed to supporting students from underprivileged backgrounds.
She shared that she comes from a tribal family with limited financial resources and viewed teaching as an opportunity to improve educational outcomes for children. According to her statement, she also organized additional English-language classes beyond her regular classroom responsibilities to help students strengthen their communication skills.
Social Media Presence
Alongside her work as a teacher, Gauthami has built a significant following on Instagram, where she shares educational and personal content.
Her account has attracted approximately 328,000 followers, making her one of several educators in India who have developed substantial digital audiences while working in public education.
The case has also sparked broader discussions on the responsibilities of government employees using social media and the evolving relationship between public service and digital content creation.
Wider Debate Around Social Media and Public Employment
The incident has renewed conversations about how government institutions regulate employees’ online activities.
Experts note that many public departments have policies governing outside engagements and promotional activities, particularly where potential conflicts of interest may arise. At the same time, educators increasingly use social media to share learning resources, teaching methods and public awareness content.
The balance between professional responsibilities and personal expression continues to be an area of discussion as digital platforms become more integrated into everyday life.
