The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said following the implementation of internal reservation for Arunthathiyars within the Scheduled Caste quota, thousands of students and graduates from the community have benefitted in the last 15 years and their enrolment in higher education has increased.

According to a press release, the government headed by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi decided to implement the 3% internal reservation for Arunthathiyars within the Scheduled Caste quota of 18% in 2008, following the recommendations of the committee headed by former judge of the Madras High Court Justice M.S. Janarthanam, considering the Arunthathiyars’ social, educational, and economic backwardness.

The Bill to provide internal reservation for Arunthathiyars in education and jobs was introduced in the Assembly by M.K. Stalin, who was then the Deputy Chief Minister in 2009, as Karunanidhi was hospitalised for a spine surgery, the press release said. The government also listed out several benefits extended to the community including the incentives given to students by Karunanidhi.