Kochi: In response to the Kerala High Court’s newly imposed restrictions on the use of elephants in temple festivals,State Revenue Minister K. Rajan said on Friday that the current format of temple festivals, especially those involving elephants, will undergo massive changes. He added that festivals would no longer be conducted in the same manner as they have been traditionally.
“If these fresh guidelines are to be implemented, then the temple festivals hitherto held will not take place. What the various Devasoms have said is true. The state government will now see what can be done in the light of the new order,” said Rajan who hails from Thrissur.
Also Read
The court's ruling, issued late Thursday night, came after hearing multiple petitions concerning the cruelty faced by captive elephants during festivals.
What has come as a shocker for the various temple Devasom’s in the state, which run the temple administration, is the ruling of the Court which read, "We do not believe that there is any essential religious practice of any religion that mandates the use of elephants in festivals. In other words, the animal is treated as a tradable commodity with its owner or custodian being concerned only with commercial returns. Reportedly, the festivals in Kerala are now so commercialised that even before a festival, there is a war or a sort of competition amongst temple committees tasked with the conduct of festivals regarding the number of elephants being paraded as well as the fame of particular elephants/elephants being paraded."
Court's ruling on elephant welfare
The court's decision follows alarming statistics showing that between 2018 and 2024, nearly 33 percent of the state’s recorded captive elephants (160 out of 509) died, raising serious concerns about their treatment during temple parades and public exhibitions.
In response, the court has introduced several measures aimed at protecting the elephants' welfare. The new guidelines stipulate that festival organisers must now submit detailed applications to authorities at least one month before the event.
Key restrictions
The court's new orders include the following strict conditions:
- Rest period: Elephants must be given a minimum rest period of three days between two consecutive exhibitions.
- Basic care: Elephants must be provided with adequate food, continuous access to clean drinking water, and spacious, clean tethering areas.
- Timing of parades: Elephants cannot be paraded on public roads between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, and they should not be transported between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am.
- Rest hours: Elephants must receive at least eight hours of rest within a 24-hour period.
Potential impact on Thrissur Pooram
These new restrictions are expected to have a significant impact on Kerala’s renowned temple festivals, especially the Thrissur Pooram, which is famous for its grand elephant parades. The festival, held annually in Thrissur, involves a large number of elephants, and the new guidelines could disrupt this tradition.
The Thiruvambady Devasom, one of the key organisers of Thrissur Pooram, has already expressed concerns. K. Gireesh Kumar, the secretary of Thiruvambady Devasom, stated that if the court's order is fully implemented, it will severely affect the celebration of Thrissur Pooram.
“Our festival is spread over 36 hours and from one side itself we need 150 elephants and if the new guidelines come into play, then things will not be the same at our Pooram again. We are going to implead in the case,” said Kumar.
Agency
Published: 15 Nov 2024, 11:52 am IST
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.