Culture

Assam wants return of elephants from Tamil Nadu, petitions High Court

The controversy over the elephants leased by Assam to Tamil Nadu has taken a new turn. The Assam Government has filed a petition in the Guwahati High Court as Tamil Nadu has refused to return the elephants.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change taking to Twitter has endorsed Tamil Nadu’s claim that Joymala, the temple elephant – whose video started the whole controversy about the treatment of the Assam elephants in Tamil Nadu – was being looked after well. The Ministry said the present team is taking good care of the animal and that the recent visuals of cruelty to the animal were old.

It was the release of a video by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claiming that Joymala was being subjected to cruelty at a temple in Tamil Nadu that started the controversy.

The Tamil Nadu Government countering this claim said Joymala was “absolutely doing good” and tweeted a video of the elephant. They said: “Elephant Joymala in Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. Absolutely doing good. Taken good care by the present team. Bathing facility has also been created. Some fake videos are circulating in social media. This video is taken today (5.9.22).”

Meanwhile, Assam Government representatives visited Tamil Nadu to check for themselves but were reportedly denied access.

Sharing details of the petition filed by Assam, its Principal Chief Conservator of Forest said: “In the petition, we stated that the elephant [Joymala] is ours and we asked for its return [from Tamil Nadu]. There is no legal connection between a ‘gift’ and a ‘lease’. The elephants were given on lease and it is the duty of the person to return the animal. We had earlier appealed to them [Tamil Nadu] to return the elephants.”

According to Assam officials, the State had leased nine elephants, including Joymala, to Tamil Nadu.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Ax-4 mission marks historic spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary

The Ax-4 crew and SpaceX teams have successfully completed a full rehearsal of launch day…

4 minutes ago

India-UK FTA will propel bilateral trade, strengthen supply chains: Jaishankar during meeting with UK Foreign Secretary

Noting that the recent conclusion of the India-UK FTA and the Double Contribution Convention is…

2 days ago

“Strengthening early warning systems, coordination is crucial”, says PM Modi addressing ICDRI

Highlighting the significance of strengthening early warning systems to mitigate risks from disasters, Prime Minister…

2 days ago

Centre raises financial threshold for procurement of scientific equipment, consumables

The Central government has raised financial limits under the General Financial Rules (GFRs) for procurement…

2 days ago

Would be my pleasure to welcome PM Modi for G7: Former Canada MP Chandra Arya calls India “indispensable partner”

Former Member of Parliament of Canada, Chandra Arya, has said it would be his pleasure…

2 days ago

UK Foreign Secretary Lammy to meet PM Modi; to discuss bilateral economic and migration partnership

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his second…

2 days ago