Yogesh K Porwar
Following an elephant running amok during Shivamogga Dasara on October 21,People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) India has offered to help provide a fleet of life-size mechanical elephants for Dasara celebrations across Karnataka,urging the state government to phase out the use of live elephants in processions.
In a letter to Forest,Ecology and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy,PETA India urged the government to make this the last Dasara celebrated using live elephants and called for captive elephants to be relocated to sanctuaries where they could live unchained and alongside other elephants.
The appeal comes after elephant Somanna, reportedly carrying the 650-kg howdah bearing the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari during the Shivamogga procession, panicked and ran amok.
The incident occurred after the elephant usually assigned to carry the howdah was withdrawn because of a leg injury.
The howdah fell,vehicles were damaged and Somanna’s mahout was reportedly injured, while spectators fled in panic.
PETA India Vice-President of Policy Khushboo Gupta said Dasara’s message of the triumph of good over evil should extend to the treatment of animals.
She said mechanical elephants offered a way to preserve religious traditions without putting animals and people at risk.
The organisation said it was ready to assist Karnataka in introducing mechanical elephants for future celebrations.
On October 21,PETA India and Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA) donated a life-size mechanical elephant named Shivayogiswara to DMS Chandravana Ashrama in Mandya.The elephant was unveiled during the ashrama’s Banni Puja celebrations.
The latest donation takes the number of mechanical elephants facilitated by PETA India and CUPA in Karnataka to 11,according to the organisation.
PETA cited previous incidents involving elephants during Karnataka’s festivals to underline the risks.
In September 2024,elephants Dhananjaya and Kanjan fought within the Mysuru Palace grounds, prompting Kanjan to flee onto a busy road.
Earlier this year,a confrontation between Kanjan and another captive elephant,Marthanda,at Dubare Elephant Camp in Kodagu reportedly resulted in the death of a woman tourist and Marthanda the following day.
PETA also recalled an incident during Srirangapatna Dasara in October 2021,when elephant Gopalaswamy panicked after being startled by firecrackers.
Organisers cancelled the elephant procession and carried the idol on a silver chariot instead.
According to PETA,its investigations into the use of elephants during Mysuru Dasara documented animals being chained,struck with sticks and prodded with ankushes,metal-hooked implements, during training and processions.
The organisation also raised concerns about the noise of cannon-fire training.
Mechanical elephants,which can move their heads, ears, eyes, trunks and tails,can carry ceremonial idols during religious rituals and processions without involving live animals,PETA said.
In September 2024,mechanical elephant Niranjana was introduced at Yedeyur Sri Siddalingeshwara Swamy Temple,which PETA described as the first such installation at a Muzrai temple.
