The state PSC said existing norms prohibited people with such deformities from entering uniformed services.
Muthu, 21, hailed from Anavay tribal settlement at Pudur grama panchayat in Attappady, Kerala's tribal heartland in the Palakkad district. (Supplied)
Tribesman V Muthu’s dream of becoming a beat forest officer came crashing down when the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) refused him the job due to his protruding teeth.
After the issue became a controversy, the PSC issued a clarification on Monday, 26 December. Citing employment rules, it said those with protruding teeth could not be considered for uniformed services.
The issue became controversial after a local television news channel reported the PSC’s denial of Muthu’s dream job.
The state recruiting agency also said that the government should amend rules to consider recruiting people with protruding teeth in uniformed services. The PSC also washed its hands of the raging controversy and put the ball in the government’s court.
Amending the rules is the government’s prerogative, it said in the official communication.
The 21-year-old Adivasi youth from Anavay tribal settlement at Pudur grama panchayat in Attappady, Kerala’s tribal heartland in the Palakkad district, was on the rank list after he successfully completed the required tests and met other physical requirements.
However, he was denied the job after the doctor who examined him mentioned the protruding teeth in the medical report submitted to the recruiting agency.
The PSC also claimed that it has no authority to demand amendments to the rules. Only the government could decide on the issue, and the commission would accept the policy change, based on a clear directive.
Meanwhile, Kerala State Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes registered a suo motu case and sought a detailed explanation from the PSC’s secretary. The panel asked the secretary to submit the report within a week.
Notices were also issued to the principal chief conservator of forests and principal secretary of the forest and wildlife department.
Muthu got protruding teeth after suffering a fall as a child. The deformity could be corrected through a surgical procedure which would cost ₹18,000. His impoverished family could not afford the surgery.
Meanwhile, Minister for Forest and Wildlife AK Saseendran termed the development unfortunate and blamed the inherent faults in the selection criterion for raking up the controversy. He promised to look into the issue.
After Muthu’s story went viral on social media, a Kollam-based dentist offered to fund the surgery. A private hospital at Perinthalmanna in the Malappuram district, too, offered to conduct the procedure free of cost.
Muthu expressed hope that the PSC would consider him once he corrected the deformity. The issue, however, has launched a massive campaign for amending discriminatory rules.
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