C.George Thomas v. Union Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 10.10.2023 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH and W.M.P.No.23607 of 2023 C.George Thomas .. Petitioner vs 1.Union of India Ministry of Education, 302-C, Shastri Bhawan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001.
2.Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), PS-1-2, Partparganj, IP Extension, Industrial Area, New Delhi 110 092.
3.National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT), G5RR & FMP, Block C, Adchini, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - 110 016. 4.Government of Tamilnadu Department of Higher Education, Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
5.The University Grants Commission, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
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6.State Board of School Education, College Road, Chennai 600 006.
(R5, R6 suo motu impleadaed vide order dated 10.10.2023) .. Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents herein to consider and respond in writing meaningfully rather than merely titling and giving vague references to the various representations made by the petitioner lastly on 09.05.2023. For Petitioner :
Mr.B.Ravi Raja For Respondents :
Mr.C.Kulanthaivel, Senior Panel Counsel for R1,R3 Mr.E.Nagarajan, for R2 Mr.S.J.Mohamed Sathik Government Advocate for R4
ORDER
This writ petition is more in the nature of a public interest litigation.
2.
The petitioner is a senior citizen, who retired as an Engineer, claiming to have a deep fascination for the principle of origins of life. He believes that the approach to the aforesaid 2/5
subject, namely, 'The Origin of Life' in text books used in schools and colleges is flawed. He has appended to the writ affidavit Chapter IV of the B.Sc Degree course text book (pages 35 - 46) entitled 'Origin and Evolution of Life'.
3.
The affidavit filed in support of the writ petition reads like a thesis on the subject, and, in conclusion, he seeks a mandamus to the respondents to consider and respond in writing 'meaningfully rather than merely titling and giving vague references to the various representations made by the petitioner' to his last representation filed on 09.05.2023.
4.
Mr.C.Kulanthaivel, who appears for R1, is asked to identify the proper authority to consider the point of view put forth by the petitioner in his representation. I am informed that the proper authority to approach is the University Grants Commission arrayed as R5. The petitioner is granted liberty to make a representation to R5 and if such representation is made proximate to receipt of a copy of this order, the same shall be taken note of by the respondents and specifically R5 evidencing application of mind, a 'meaningful' response shall be furnished, as expeditiously as possible.
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5. This writ petition stands disposed in terms of the above order. No costs. Connected miscellaneous petition is closed. 10.10.2023 Index:Yes/No ssm To 1.The Ministry of Education, 302-C, Shastri Bhawan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, Rajpath Area, Central Secretariat, New Delhi 110 001.
2.Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), PS-1-2, Partparganj, IP Extension, Industrial Area, New Delhi 110 092.
3.National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT), G5RR & FMP, Block C, Adchini, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - 110 016.
4.Government of Tamilnadu Department of Higher Education, Director of Collegiate Education, College Road, Chennai - 600 006.
5.The University Grants Commission, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
6.State Board of School Education, College Road, Chennai 600 006.
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DR. ANITA SUMANTH,J.
ssm 10.10.2023 5/5