Director Public Instructions (Schools) S K Setia, while making the announcement today, said education is their (eunuchs’) fundamental right and that they are also to be included in the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan.

He said the issue of children with special needs is also being taken up with the Centre.

“If we can have special schools for the handicapped, the blind and the poor, then why not for eunuchs,” said Setia.

Mukhi had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court in November 2007 demanding directions for setting up of separate educational institutions for eunuchs.

However, the petition was dismissed as withdrawn after a division bench of the High Court observed that the petition was premature.

The bench said Mukhi should first approach the Education Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and UT Administration.

In response to the above decision, he had filed a legal notice on February 2 to the Education Secretary, Union of India, Chief Secretary Punjab, Chief Secretary Haryana and Education Secretary Chandigarh.

Setia said he completely agreed with the point raised in the legal notice that the person belonging to this category are also suffering from a sort of handicap so they need the government’s attention and support.