An individual can not be denied employment because of his political affinities
“……Politics is no crime’. Does it mean that only True Believers in the political faith of the party in power for the time being are entitled to public employment?...... Most students and most young men are exhorted by national leaders to take part in political activities and if they do get involved in some form of agitation or the other, is it to be to their ever-lasting discredit? Some times they get involved because they feel strongly and badly about injustice, because they are possessed of integrity and because they are fired by idealism. They get involved because they are pushed into the forefront by elderly leaders who lead and occasionally mislead them. Should all these young men be debarred from public employment? Is Government service such a heaven that only angels should seek entry into it?”
This Court therefore in terms held that any such view to deny employment to an individual because of his political affinities would be offending Fundamental Rights under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.
Supreme Court of India
K.Vijaya Lakshmi vs Govt.Of A.P.Tr.Sec.Home & Anr. on 18 February, 2013
