Explainer: The controversy over Kannur university posting for CPI(M) MLA's wife

The University of Kannur in Kerala has landed itself in a controversy over the appointment of Sahala Shamseer, wife of Thalassery CPI (M) MLA AN Shamseer as Assistant Professor on contract basis in the Department of Pedagogical Sciences.

MP Bindu, who had applied for the post of Assistant Professor in the University has accused the University of flouting the rules by giving the post to Sahala who had applied for the same post, only because it was a reservation seat based on caste rotation.

What is the controversy all about? 

In an interview given to Mathrubhumi news, Bindu said that even though she got the first rank following the interview, the post went to Sahala Shamseer, wife of the Thalassery MLA because she was an OBC Muslim.

“When I went to the University, I came to know that I got first rank, but I won’t be getting the post as the seat has now been reserved for the OBC Muslim category," she said.

Bindu says that in the notification put out by University on June 8, calling for candidates for the temporary post of Assistant Professor, it was not mentioned that the seat was reserved for OBC Muslim.

According to a report by The Hindu, she has alleged that in the notification issued by the university, it was said that the candidate must have a postgraduate teaching experience which she had.

What did the University say?

On the other hand, the University of Kannur, in a press release has denied the allegations by saying the appointment was made lawfully.

The press release said that, since the last appointment was made from a general category, the latest appointment was made from the reservation category. They said that as there were no candidates from the ETB (Ezhava,Thiyya, Billava) community or the SC community, the seat went to a candidate from the Muslim community. The press release is also reported to have said that the post is only on a temporary basis.

What will Bindu do now?

According to The Hindu, Bindu said that she would question the decision by the university in court as till now, there has not been any caste rotation in contract posts in various departments of the university.

“Only after the interview, I was told that this seat was for an OBC Muslim. My question is why it is only an OBC Muslim, when there are other categories in the OBC as well,” asked Bindu to Mathrubhumi.