Chennai: Members of the transgender community have alleged that the Tamil Nadu government has failed to implement a High Court directive granting a 1% special reservation for third-gender persons, even after 21 months.
They said the Social Welfare Department runs several welfare schemes, including pensions, but reservation in education and employment remains their key demand to improve opportunities.
The community pointed out that the Supreme Court has directed states to legally recognise transgender persons as a third gender and provide special reservation. They noted that some states, including Karnataka, have moved ahead with such measures.
In Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court in 2024 ordered that a 1% special reservation be provided within three months. However, activists allege the order has not been acted upon.
Rakhshitha Raj, a transgender woman from Chennai, said the delay has caused disappointment, and criticised the government for issuing announcements during the election period while the court-mandated reservation remains unimplemented.
