Row over banning killer tusker at Thrissur pooram fest

After the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple women entry row, the left government in Kerala is now caught up in a catch 22 situation over a renowned temple festival.

While the Kerala government took a stand against parading serial killer tusker 'Thechikottukavu' Ramachandran at the Thrissur pooram, an internationally renowned festival of Kerala, the elephant owners in the state have decided not to parade any of their elephants at any festivals in Kerala from May 11 in protest against the government decision.

Parading of over 100 elephants on the premises of the Vadakkunnathan temple at Thrissur town, display of colourful umbrellas and fireworks are the highlights of the annual Thrissur pooram, which is scheduled to happen on this May 13. 'Thechikottukavu' Ramachandran,
owned by a temple trust in Thrissur, is famous for its height and has a huge fan following. But the elephant is notorious for its killing spree as it so far claimed lives of 13 persons as well as three elephants.

On the basis of a report of an expert committee, the Kerala government took a stand against parading the elephant at the Thrissur pooram. The tusker has been performing the ritual of opening the southern doors of the temple on the eve of the Thrissur pooram, marking the beginning of the 'Pooram'. Thousands of people used to throng in to witness these
events.

Kerala Elephant Owners Federation general secretary P Sasi Kumar said on Wednesday that all the elephant owners in Kerala decided not to parade their elephants for the pooram this time protesting against Kerala government's stand. The government was not making necessary arrangements to parade elephants.

Two ministers in Kerala had recently assured that parading on 'Thechikottukavu' Ramachandran would be allowed. But now the government made a somersault. Hence we also decided not to parade any of our elephants in Kerala for any public events from May 11.

Meanwhile, Kerala Agriculture Minister and Thirussur MLA V S Sunilkumar said that discussions would be initiated to settle the row and ensure smooth conduct of Thrissur pooram.

It is also learnt that the government was exploring the scope of parading scores of elephants possessed by the temples under the government-controlled devaswom boards for the Thirussur pooram.

Forest Minister K Babu had said on Tuesday that parading 'Thechikottukavu' Ramachandran could invite disaster at the festival. A district-level committee headed by Thrissur district collector T V Anupama, which is empowered to ban parading of elephants, also opposed
parading 'Thechikottukavu' Ramachandran.

A petition on parading 'Thechikottukavu' Ramachandran is scheduled to be considered by the Kerala High Court on Friday.