ANUPAMA K.P Vs. UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Social justice is said to be one of the fundamental means to build a healthy and contented society. In a country of diversities like ours, where the need for conferment of special benefits and reservation to different classes of citizens are recognised from time to time for socio-economic and educational advancement, laying down a proper and correct procedure for conferment of such benefits without offending the constitutional and other rights of others, is a constant struggle. We are confronted with one such situation in this case and let us make an attempt to resolve the same.

(2.) The writ appeal arises from W.P.(C) No.16456 of 2021. The matter relates to the right of the petitioner therein for appointment as Assistant Professor in Journalism and Mass Communication in the University of Calicut (the University). The appellant is the petitioner in the writ petition. Parties and documents are referred to in this judgment for convenience, as they appear in the writ petition.

(3.) In terms of Ext.P1 notification, the University invited applications from eligible candidates for appointment to the post of Assistant Professor in various departments of the University. The number of vacancies notified were 63, of which 2 vacancies were of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The petitioner who was qualified to be considered for appointment as Assistant Professor in Journalism and Mass Communication, had applied for selection for appointment in response to the notification. Ext.P4 is the rank list of the candidates applied for selection in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. In Ext.P4, the petitioner is assigned rank No.2. Even though there were 2 vacancies, the candidate who was assigned rank No.1 alone was appointed.