CHENNAI: The Madras high court has suggested to Tamil Nadu social welfare department to consider a representation which sought creation of a separate class or group for transgenders in education and employment opportunities. The First Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R. Mahadevan, said “We direct the department to look into the matter in consultation with all relevant departments and take a decision in six months”.
In the PIL, transgenders - Swapna , Grace Banu, M. Selvi Manoj Premkumar, Living Smile Vidya and Selvam- sought permission to transgender women to appear in all examinations under the category of male and to create a separate class or group for transgenders in education and employment opportunities and to create three per cent reservation in the field of education and employment.
The petitioners submitted that the legal recognition of their gender status was critical over their right to contest and to vote in the election. The Election Commission introduced an option of “Other” in the Voters identity card and indicated transgenders to vote or contest as a “woman” or “other”. The legal validity of the executive order on the right to contest was not clear.
On October 24, 2013, they submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary, State Government to permit them to appear in all examinations conducted by the government either as a transgender or as a separate group apart from making representation to the government to create three per cent reservation in all employment for transgenders.
