Are elephants housed in Punnathurkotta taken out for non-religious activities, Kerala HC asks Guruvayur devaswom
Kochi: An HC bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan on Friday directed the Guruvayur devaswom managing committee to clarify whether elephants housed at Punnathur Aanakotta are permitted to be taken for activities other than religious rituals in temples.
The bench is considering a petition by Voice for Asian Elephants Society president Sangita Iyer, seeking intervention to safeguard the welfare of captive elephants at Punnathurkotta, which is managed by the Guruvayur devaswom.
During the hearing, HC referred to a recent instance where the devaswom had invited applications from temples and other religious institutions seeking financial assistance. "If you have surplus money, why earn income by sending elephants in trucks to various places," the court asked.
The bench also referred to a submission made by the devaswom's veterinary surgeon regarding an incident at the Manakulangara Bhagavathy Temple in Koyilandy, where two elephants ran amok. The surgeon stated that unless 'koochu vilangu' (elephant hobbles) are used during processions, elephants may become uncontrollable upon hearing fireworks. The court further observed orally, "As far as the Guruvayur devaswom is concerned, there is absolutely no mechanism in place to monitor the care of elephants once they are taken outside Punnathurkotta.
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The petition was adjourned to June 26.
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