Is PETA trying to oust the elephant at Puducherry Manakula Vinayagar Temple?

Puducherry BJP functionary PS Ganehsan alleges that PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) is ousting the elephant Lakshmi from Sri Manakkula Vinayakar Temple in Puducherry. The forest department has reportedly decided to keep the temple elephant Lakshmi at Kamarajar Agricultural Science Center in Kurumbapet for 15 days. Knowing this, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Hindu Munnani functionaries went on to protest against this decision to move the temple elephant Lakshmi out of the temple. Following this, the Periyakadai police rushed to the spot and arrested them. However, the elephant has not been taken to the Agricultural Science Center.

Speaking to a Tamil news portal, PS Ganeshan had said, “The forest department officials have been trying to take Lakshmi out of the temple, claiming that the temple elephant has been injured in the leg. Subsequently, the police arrested me while I was doing a hunger strike at the Puducherry Shree Vedapureeswarar temple, where the elephant Lakshmi is being taken care of. Lakshmi can be given medication inside the temple complex. It is not necessary for Lakshmi to be taken to the Agricultural Science Center in the forest area.”

He further added that it will be difficult for Lakshmi to accommodate herself in the forest area, who has been living in the city for so many years. “We have received information that PETA is behind this. First they would remove the elephant from the temple, claiming to provide medication. Then they will permanently leave the elephant to the forest. This is what happened in Thiruparankundram as well. There is a massive conspiracy to remove elephants from temples across South India.”, said PS Ganeshan.

“After the hunger strike, the Forest Department officials are open for talks. They have assured that they will take this issue to the government and find a solution. After this I have temporarily suspended my hunger strike. If they think of moving the temple elephant Lakshmi again, we will again protest against it”, saids PS Ganeshan.

This issue comes within after the tragic killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala. On Friday, Kerala police arrested Wilson in connection with the Kerala elephant murder case. The police are on the lookout for Abdul Kareem and his son Riyazuddin who are believed to be absconding.