Parading elephants is part of culture; Supreme Court stays HC order

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said parading of elephants is part of culture. The Supreme Court opined that the Kerala High Court is making a move to completely ban parading of elephants during festivals. The observation was made by a bench comprising of Justices B V Nagaratna and Satish Chandra Sharma. The Supreme Court stayed the interim order issued by the division bench of the Kerala High Court in the case, which pointed that the restrictions related to parading of elephants were issued in a case taken voluntarily after the death of a pet dog, Bruno. The stay included a direction that a survey of elephants should be conducted.

The Vishwagajaseva Samithi approached the Supreme Court against the order of the Kerala High Court. Senior advocate Vikas Singh appeared for the organization. The Supreme Court rejected his demand to completely stay the proceedings of the division bench.

The Vishwagajaseva Samithi approached the Supreme Court, alleging that the Kerala High Court judges have links with animal protection organizations including PETA, that there is a conspiracy in the case and that an investigation is needed.

Meantime, the Supreme Court did not accept the plea of the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms to transfer the case taken by the Kerala High Court suo motu over the management of elephants to the Supreme Court. Justice Nagaratna clarified that they will not interfere in the plea presently. Permission was also granted to withdraw the petition. The devaswoms then withdrew the transfer pleas filed in the Supreme Court.