Sahajanand Commerce College Faces Complaint After Selected Disabled Assistant Professor Is Denied Appointment
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A candidate selected for an Assistant Professor post at Ahmedabad's Sahajanand Commerce College has approached the Gujarat State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities after the institution allegedly refused to accept his appointment despite his selection through the centralised recruitment process.
Bijalbhai Loh, a candidate from Surendranagar who has lost both hands below the elbows, was selected for the post reserved for persons with disabilities in the Accounts department. He has alleged that the college refused to proceed with his appointment despite his performance in the recruitment interview.
The candidate has filed a complaint before the Disability Commissioner's office-cum-court in Gandhinagar, seeking intervention in the matter.
Two Candidates Appeared For One Reserved Post
The Higher Education Commissioner's Office had arranged interviews on October 1 at Government Science College in Gandhinagar for the Assistant Professor post in Accounts at Sahajanand Vanijya Mahavidyalaya, located in Ahmedabad's Ambawadi area.
The recruitment was conducted under the centralised selection process for state-aided colleges after the institutions received No Objection Certificates (NOCs).
Two candidates appeared for the single vacancy reserved for the persons with disabilities category at Sahajanand College. Following the interview, Loh was selected.
The selection panel comprised eight members, including two university experts, a representative of the college's trustee board and the principal.
Candidate Questions College's Decision
Loh said he had lost both his hands below the elbows several years ago following an electric short circuit.
He alleged that questions were raised during the interview about how he would perform academic responsibilities, including writing on the board, despite his disability being disclosed.
According to the candidate, he was selected after the interview, but the college subsequently refused to accept him for the position.
College Cites Insufficient Number Of Candidates
The college has reportedly argued that six candidates were required to be selected under the recruitment process, whereas only two candidates appeared for the reserved vacancy.
However, Loh has questioned why he should face the consequences of the shortfall when he was selected for the post.
According to correspondence from the Higher Education Commissioner's Office, the college's trustee and principal have also submitted a signed statement rejecting his appointment.
Complaint Filed Before Disability Commissioner
Following the college's decision, Loh approached the Disability Commissioner's office-cum-court in Gandhinagar.
The complaint has brought the recruitment decision under scrutiny, particularly the college's stated reason for refusing the selected candidate.
The matter now raises questions over whether the state authorities will intervene and direct Sahajanand Commerce College to proceed with his appointment.
No decision by the Disability Commissioner's office or direction from the state government has been reported so far.
