Salma (writer)

Salma
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
from List of Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu
Assumed office
25 July 2025
Preceded byM. M. Abdulla, DMK
Chairperson of Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Board
In office
2006–2011
President of Ponnampatti Town Council
In office
2001–2006
Personal details
BornRajathi Samsudeen
1968 (age 57–58)
CitizenshipIndia
Party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouse
Malik
(before 1988)
Children2
OccupationWriter and Political activist
AwardsMahakavi Kanhaiyalal Sethia Award (2019)
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Rakkiaiah (alternatively Rokkiah, born Rajathi Samsudeen in 1968) is an Indian Tamil writer, activist, and politician known by the pen name Salma and the nickname Rajathi, and often referred to as Rajathi Salma. Her works have received international acclaim and she is renowned as a sensation in contemporary Tamil literature.

She is a Rajya Sabha member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and involved in women's and transgender rights activism. Between 2007 and 2011, she served as the chairperson of the State Social Welfare Board of Tamil Nadu. Salma is also the founder of a non-government women's rights organisation named "Your Hope is Remaining".