Kochi, April 24: The Kerala High Court issued notice on Friday on a public interest litigation (PIL) demanding urgent judicial intervention over the alleged mistreatment of captive elephants at the iconic Thrissur Pooram, scheduled for April 26, 2025. The petition raises serious concerns about animal welfare violations during one of India's grandest temple festivals, and has proposed a striking alternative — the use of robotic elephants during fireworks displays.

Court Admits Plea, Issues Notices to Key Officials

A vacation bench comprising Justice A.A. Ziyad Rahman and Justice K.V. Jayakumar admitted the PIL and directed notices to multiple authorities. Those served include the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, the Assistant Conservator of Forests, the District Collectors of Thrissur and Palakkad, and the Thrissur District Police Chief.

The government pleader accepted notice on behalf of the state. Urgent notices were additionally issued to the secretaries of the Thiruvambady Devaswom and Paramekkavu Devaswom — the two principal organising bodies of the annual festival.

However, the court declined to grant any interim orders at this stage, citing a pending matter before the Supreme Court of India involving similar concerns. The apex court had earlier stayed High Court directions that mandated stricter enforcement of the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, 2012, in the case of Thiruvambady Devaswom and Another versus Union of India.

What the Petition Alleges

The petitioner has flagged widespread and recurring violations of animal welfare norms at temple festivals across Kerala, with Thrissur Pooram being the focal point. The plea specifically alleges that elephants are routinely subjected to high-decibel fireworks at close range, forced to stand amid dense crowds without prescribed safety distances, paraded during restricted hours, and denied adequate rest, food, and water.

According to the petition, these practices directly violate the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the 2012 Captive Elephant Rules, and multiple government circulars issued over the years. The petitioner has demanded strict enforcement of minimum safety distances between elephants and fireworks, a ban on parading during peak heat hours, and mandatory veterinary certification before any elephant is permitted to participate in the festival.

The Robotic Elephant Proposal

In a remarkable and unprecedented suggestion, the petitioner has proposed deploying robotic elephants as a humane substitute for carrying idols during fireworks sequences. The petitioner has gone further, expressing willingness to donate two robotic elephants — one each to the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu factions — for use at this year's festival.

This proposal reflects a growing national conversation about balancing cultural traditions with animal rights, and echoes similar debates in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other states where temple elephants face comparable conditions during major festivals.

Broader Context: A Pattern of Concern

This is not an isolated case. Animal welfare advocates have long documented the physical and psychological stress endured by captive temple elephants in Kerala, a state that holds one of the largest populations of domesticated elephants in India. Incidents of elephant attacks on mahouts and bystanders during festivals have been reported repeatedly, often linked to stress-induced aggression.

Notably, the Supreme Court's stay on stricter enforcement rules has emboldened festival organisers, even as veterinary experts and wildlife activists warn that the current regulatory framework is inadequate. Critics argue there is a fundamental contradiction in a state that prides itself on progressive governance yet continues to allow practices that experts describe as institutionalised cruelty.

The Kerala Captive Elephants Rules, 2012, while progressive on paper, have faced persistent implementation challenges due to political sensitivity around temple traditions and the enormous economic and cultural weight of festivals like Thrissur Pooram.

What Happens Next

The Kerala High Court has posted the matter for further hearing on May 25, 2025. Given that Thrissur Pooram is just days away, the court's refusal to issue interim orders means the festival will proceed under existing conditions. However, the formal admission of the PIL and the issuance of notices to senior officials signals that judicial scrutiny of elephant welfare at religious festivals is intensifying.

The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent — not just for Thrissur Pooram, but for the hundreds of temple festivals across Kerala and other states where captive elephants are central to ritual proceedings. With the Supreme Court also engaged on related matters, a landmark ruling on the rights of captive elephants in India may be closer than ever.