Animal activists have alleged that a female elephant, which was brought for anayoottu conducted by the Sree Vadakkunnatha temple on Saturday, was forced to push a lorry, which was stuck in mud.
In a petition to the Animal Welfare Board of India and State Chief Wildlife Warden, the Heritage Animal Task Force alleged that most of the elephants brought for the anayootu didn’t have ownership certificate.
“Many elephants were forced to stand in three legs at the entrance of the temple as a mark of respect to Lord Vadakkunnatha. Many of the elephants didn’t have daily fitness certificates. All the mahouts were using the ‘ankush,’ a banned weapon, to control the jumbos. The ritual violated the State government directive that not more than three elephants should be allowed inside the temple compound at a time,” V.K. Venkitachalam, secretary of the Heritage Animal Task Force alleged.
