Chennai, Oct 2:
The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame a standard operating procedure governing the use of elephants in religious functions and temple festivals.
The court stressed the need for a structured regulatory framework governing the participation of captive elephants in religious and ceremonial events.
The direction comes amid continuing concerns over the welfare, transportation, handling and use of captive elephants during temple festivals and other public religious functions.
The court observed that the use of captive animals in religious ceremonies cannot be allowed to operate without appropriate legal and administrative guidelines. The proposed standard operating procedure is expected to provide clarity on how elephants can be taken to such events and the safeguards that must be followed.
Elephants are traditionally associated with several temple festivals in Tamil Nadu and are often used in processions and other ceremonial activities. However, their participation in public events has also generated concerns relating to stress, crowd control, transportation and the conditions in which the animals are maintained.
The proposed SOP is expected to address these issues by laying down procedures for authorities, temple administrations and those responsible for the care and handling of elephants.
The court’s direction places the responsibility on the State government to establish a uniform framework rather than leaving decisions to individual temple administrations or local authorities.
The issue is particularly relevant during the festival season, when large gatherings take place at temples across the State and captive elephants are sometimes brought into crowded public spaces.
The court’s intervention is aimed at ensuring that religious and cultural practices involving elephants are conducted within a clearly defined legal and welfare framework.