The management committees of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms and elephant owners have welcomed a stay imposed by the Supreme Court on the restrictions imposed by the Kerala High Court on the use of elephants in temple festivals.
The Bench comprising Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice N.K. Singh has passed the order in an appeal filed by the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms, the major hosts of the Thrissur Pooram festival.
“The Supreme Court decision has come as a major relief to hundreds of people who wish to hold the Pooram as per the existing traditions and rituals. The restrictions issued by the High Court were difficult to implement,” said G. Rajesh, secretary of the Paramekkavu Devaswom.
The representatives of the Thiruvambady Devaswom said that the regulations imposed by the High Court had made it impossible for the conduct of the Thrissur Pooram. The guidelines that included ensuring of a minimum distance of three metres between two elephants during parade and the directives requiring exact distances and crowd control were difficult to implement, they said. The devaswoms had also opposed a five-metre distance between fire torches and an eight-metre buffer for spectators. The guidelines also prohibited parading of elephants on public roads between 9 a.m and 5 p.m.
G. Krishnaprasad, president of the Kerala Elephant Owners’ Association, said that such restrictions could not be implemented as it would completely alter the nature of the traditional festivals held in the State. He alleged that the animal lovers, who were supporting such restrictions, were getting external funding to pursue their interests.
Published – December 19, 2024 07:03 pm IST
