Mid-day meal cook fired for being a man

Ahmedabad: A man responded to an advertisement for the post of cook in a mid-day meal scheme run by state govt. He was chosen for the position after he was found most meritorious in the selection process. Before he could join, his appointment was cancelled citing he was a male! Gujarat high court has sought an explanation from the concerned state govt authorities after the cook moved the court against his job cancellation citing gender.
According to the case details, Mahesh Bhabhor from Dahod district had applied for the post of cook under the mid-day meal programme in Singhvad taluka in response to an advertisement issued by state govt. He underwent the selection process and was declared the most meritorious candidate for the post. He was selected and issued an appointment order by the mamlatdar.However, on Nov 25, 2025, before he could join service, Bhabhor received a letter informing him that his appointment had been cancelled because he was a man. The deputy collector at Limkheda ordered the cancellation of his appointment. He subsequently appealed before the district collector against the decision. He also filed a petition in the high court through advocate Shivangi Gupta, contending that the only ground cited for the cancellation of his appointment was that he was a male.The petitioner submitted that the deputy sarpanch of his village and another candidate for the post — who stood second in the merit list, Rajeshwari Kalara — had written to the concerned authorities stating that the appointed candidate was male. The appointment cancellation order also did not mention any other reason.Bhabhor challenged the cancellation order on the grounds that the advertisement issued by the state govt did not specify that the post was reserved exclusively for female candidates, nor did it state that male candidates were ineligible to apply or be appointed. He also urged HC to restrain the authorities from filling the post until his appointment was restored.After the preliminary hearing, Justice Nirzar Desai sought a reply from the authorities. The court order read: "Notice, returnable on April 20, 2026. Learned AGP waives service for respondent Nos. 1 (state govt), 2 (Dahod collector), 4 (deputy collector, Limkheda) and 5 (Mamlatdar, Singhvad)."