Fifteen Legal Reform Ideas for Tamil Nadu
This Briefing Book is a catalyst for change, presenting fifteen innovative legal reform ideas that aim to reshape Tamil Nadu’s legal landscape. By tailoring these ideas to the state’s unique context, we seek to create a legal framework that is practical, effective, and responsive to the needs of Tamil Nadu’s people.
Tamil Nadu is ripe for legal reform. As a state with the most factories in India and the largest share of women in the factory workforce, Tamil Nadu has the potential to set new standards for labour laws and gender equality. The state’s pioneering welfare initiatives, high gross enrolment ratio in higher education, and progressive transgender policies make it an ideal testing ground for innovative legal reforms. While grappling with climate change and events like heat waves, exacerbated by rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, the state has also shown its resolve to adopt trailblazing climate action policies.
This Briefing Book delves into critical questions that lie at the heart of Tamil Nadu’s legal landscape: What does it take to boost female labour force participation? How can the state address the pressing issue of caste discrimination in prisons? In a rapidly evolving economy, what steps must be taken to protect the rights of gig workers? How can Tamil Nadu position itself as a hub for Global Capability Centres, and what legal reforms are necessary to make this a reality? As the state faces the challenges of climate change, what strategies should it employ to build climate resilience?
To answer these questions, the Briefing Book presents fifteen carefully crafted legal reform ideas that span three key themes: growth, welfare, and sustainability. Each idea has been designed to strengthen the rule of law and create a legal ecosystem that supports Tamil Nadu’s diverse goals.
By exploring these questions and proposing innovative solutions, we aim to drive positive change in Tamil Nadu’s legal landscape. The reform ideas in this book are the result of a comprehensive consultative process involving key stakeholders from Tamil Nadu’s bureaucracy, judicial system, civil society, and academia. By engaging with these stakeholders, we have ensured that the proposed solutions are rooted in law, actionable, and practical.
We believe that the legal reform initiatives outlined in this book have the potential to not only transform Tamil Nadu but also serve as a model for other states looking to implement similar reforms. By embracing these ideas, Tamil Nadu can lead the way in creating a more equitable, sustainable, and prosperous future for its people.
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About the Authors
Manjushree is a Senior Resident Fellow and Team Lead at Vidhi, Tamil Nadu. She has previously advised the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on the Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022, and has also advised the International Financial Services Centre Authority. She graduated from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad in 2019. Her primary areas of interest are International Economic Law and Competition Law. She is a trained theatre enthusiast, and has featured in several plays directed by the National School of Drama.
Sruthakeerthy is a Research Fellow at Vidhi Tamil Nadu. Prior to this, as a Mahatma Gandhi National Fellow working with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in rural Tamil Nadu, she was involved in the formulation and implementation of policies and action plans to improve the skill development ecosystem, targeted at raising economic output, mitigating unemployment and promoting livelihoods. She has also worked as a Legal Content Analyst at Nyaaya, creating explainers and guides to enhance legal awareness. She graduated with a B.A., LL.B. (Hons.) from NALSAR University of Law in 2020. She enjoys reading, listening to music, singing, and travelling.
Nihal is a Research Fellow at Vidhi in the Health team. His interests include jurisprudence, technology, and public health. Nihal graduated from the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi in 2023. He enjoys chess, modern political history, and English fiction.