B. MALAVIKA NAMBOOTHIRI Vs. MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The captioned writ petitions are materially connected in respect of elimination of the petitioners from selection to various cultural events conducted by Sacred Heart College, Thevara to qualify the students to participate in the Mahatma Gandhi University Intercollegiate Youth Festival scheduled from 8/2/2023 to 12/2/2023 at Ernakulam. Therefore, I heard them together and proposed to pass this common judgment.

(2.) The petitioners in W.P.(C) Nos. 2855 of 2023 and 2867 of 2023 have participated in the Kerala Natanam competition. Only the first place winner would be selected to participate in the Mahatma Gandhi University Youth Festival. Admittedly, the petitioners could secure second and third place respectively in the intra collegiate competition. Being aggrieved, they have submitted a representation before the Principal of the College and as per the direction issued by the Principal, the said event was conducted again with all the participants. In that process, one of the petitioners i.e., the petitioner in W. P. (C) No. 2867 of 2023 was placed second and the petitioner in W.P.(C) No. 2855 of 2023 became fourth. Even though an appeal was preferred before the Grievance Committee of the College, it was also rejected stating that the decisions of the Judges are considered to be final.

(3.) The paramount contention advanced by the petitioners is that as per the guidelines issued by the Mahatma Gandhi University, the kerala Natanam competition has a duration of 15 minutes for each participants; whereas, in the guidelines issued by the Sacred Heart College, Thevara, 10 minutes is provided to each participants. But, according to the petitioners, all the participants were provided only 4 minutes and therefore, the participants could not make their performance to the fullest extent and the best manner in order to impress the Judges, and enable the Judges to evaluate the participants.