A B JEEVA Vs. DIRECTOR OF LEGAL STUDIES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has obtained B.A., B.L., Degree after having successfully completed the Integrated Law Degree Course in the Government Law College, Madurai / third respondent herein. He joined five years law degree course in the academic year 2012 - 2013 and successfully completed the course in 2017 - 2018. According to the petitioner, he has chosen Tamil language as medium of instruction in the law course undertaken by him. The petitioner had completed his schooling only in Tamil language and he was the first graduate in his family. According to the petitioner, he had written the University examinations only in Tamil language from the first semester till he completed the course successfully. According to the petitioner, the Lecturers also taught the subjects in Tamil language. The petitioner was on a hope that he would be issued a certificate to the effect that he is a student of Tamil medium, namely, Persons Studied in Tamil Medium (PSTM), which would entitle him to seek public employment in the State of Tamil Nadu against the quota reserved for such category. The Government of Tamil Nadu has enacted Tamil Medium Act, 2010 under which, the persons, who studied in Tamil medium, can claim appointment in the public service under the quota reserved for PSTM Candidates.

(2.) In the above circumstances, the petitioner, in order to take advantage of being studied the law course in Tamil medium had approached the third respondent for issuance of PSTM Certificate. In response to the petitioner's request, the third respondent passed an order, dated 14.08.2018, rejecting the petitioner's request on the ground that during the relevant time when the petitioner was admitted to the academic year 2012 - 2013, Tamil medium of instruction was discontinued and therefore, the claim of the petitioner cannot be acceded to. The order of the third respondent, dated 14.08.2018, is put to challenge in this writ petition.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would vehemently contend that in the application form submitted by the petitioner seeking admission to the integrated law course, more particularly in Column No.12 in regard to whether the applicant wishes to join Tamil Medium Class, he had indicated his preference 'Yes' for the academic year 2013 - 2014 and for the ensuing academic years also, he had indicated his preference 'Yes' as evidenced from the typed set of documents filed in support of the writ petition. However, the request made by the petitioner was rejected by the third respondent on the ground that the Tamil medium of instruction has been discontinued during the relevant time, when he joined the law course in 2012 - 2013 and therefore, in the absence of Tamil medium course, the petitioner could not be given certificate certifying that he was studying law course in Tamil medium. Therefore, the petitioner is before this Court challenging the order passed by the third respondent, dated 14.08.2018.