Summary
A colour-blind applicant challenged exclusion from FTII’s film-editing diploma. Adopting its expert committee’s majority recommendations, the Court required admission eligibility across FTII courses with reasonable curriculum accommodation, including exclusion of the obstructive colour-grading module or making it elective. Similar institutes were also to adhere to the conclusions. The appellant’s renewed request for individual admission relief remained pending for the institute’s response.
Issues
- Whether colour blindness justified a blanket admission bar for FTII courses despite available assistance and curriculum accommodation.
- Whether the appellant could obtain individual admission relief despite the earlier requirement to undergo selection afresh.
Held
- The majority expert recommendations were adopted: colour-blind individuals should be eligible for all FTII courses, with reasonable accommodation for relevant limitations. The film-editing colour-grading module should be excluded or made elective. (¶¶ 15, 20-27, 34-36)
- The dissenting insistence on retaining the existing expert-designed syllabus did not justify maintaining the exclusion. The Court accepted the committee’s assessment of collaborative filmmaking and the ability to overcome limitations through assistance and accommodation. (¶ 28-35)
- Adoption of the recommendations did not impermissibly impinge on FTII’s institutional freedom. Other institutes offering a similar educational curriculum were also required to adhere to the committee’s conclusions as adopted by the Court. (¶ 35)
- Although the Court initially maintained that elapsed time and its earlier order prevented immediate personal relief, it sought FTII’s response to the renewed proposal to accommodate the appellant in the next academic year through an additional seat. That individual question remained for further proceedings. (¶ 37-43)
Result
Expert committee’s majority recommendations adopted for FTII’s curriculum and admission eligibility, with corresponding application to similar institutes. FTII was to respond within two weeks to the appellant’s renewed admission proposal; rejoinder, if any, within one week thereafter. Further proceedings listed for 10 May 2022; no admission order was made at this stage.