elephant parade
The High Court has made a strong comment on the elephant parade at the Vrischikotsavam 2025 festival in Kochi, Kerala. Did the court say it is necessary to parade elephants during festivals? Without parades, would religious practices cease to exist or disappear? In fact, the Cochin Devaswom Board moved the High Court to simplify the rule of 3 meters distance between elephants during the parade. The court has refused to give relaxation in this case. The Kerala High Court has issued oral comments in this matter. The court said that how can the elephant parade be an essential religious process?
This case has been heard by the bench of Justice AK Jaishankaran Nambiar and Gopinath. The court issued some guidelines for Vrischikotsavam 2025 at Poornathrayisa temple in Thripunithura. The exemption was required in this guideline. The guidelines issued by the court called for maintaining a distance of at least 3 meters during the elephant parade. The court said guidelines were issued for the safety of elephants. These guidelines were necessary for the well-being of the elephants.
Provide evidence that rituals will not be completed without elephants
The Kerala High Court said that in this case the Devaswom Board will have to prove that without elephants, religious practices are affected or end completely. Without proving it, one cannot speak of elephant parades being an essential religious practice. In this matter, elephant expert and wildlife scientist, Dr. PS Isa has told through online media that the use of elephants in festivals or their captivity supposedly causes him stress and he is suffering a lot because of it.
For this reason, aggressive behavior can be observed in elephants. He said aggression in elephants can usually be seen when multiple animals are forced to stay close to each other. In this case, it has been made clear in the court guidelines that it is necessary to maintain a distance of at least 3 meters between the two elephants. This scientific way is also important. Even in practical terms, elephants have it easier. The court said that unless those organizing the elephant parade provide information about sufficient space at the site, they should not be allowed to do so.
