Lakshmi, the elephant who was displaced from Manakula Vinayagar temple by PETA, has returned to her home in Manakula Vinyagar Temple in Puducherry.
Lakshmi had become synonymous with Puducherry and is considered as an integral part of the Puducherry people.
Lakshmi was taken away from her home by PETA and the Animal Welfare Board, following accusations of mistreating her. They also booked the temple board under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Maneka Gandhi was also involved in this and had requested a safe or location for Lakshmi. This resulted in her forcible removal to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, where her health had started deteriorating. Following this, the Forest department was ordered by Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy to return Lakshmi to the temple.
Attempt to oust the temple elephant Lakshmi
Last month there was a massive conspiracy to oust the temple elephant Lakshmi from the temple. The forest department had decided to keep the temple elephant at the Kamaraj Agricultural Science Center in Kurumbapet for 15 days. But the BJP and other Hindu organizations jumped into protest, claiming that PETA and other dubious elements are behind the act. BJP leader from Puducherry PS. Ganeshan had alleged that PETA was behind targeting the elephant to be taken from the temple. He also alleged that there is a massive conspiracy to remove temple elephants from temples across South India. He even went on a hunger strike to save Lakshmi from PETA.
Elephant Lakshmi has only known extreme loneliness and pain for two decades.
YOU CAN HELP her get the freedom she deserves:https://t.co/JHDZDcMZBY pic.twitter.com/97gwnspQ8R
— PETA India (@PetaIndia) June 27, 2020
Lakshmi was taken away unethically and illegally
Ajit Datta, co-founder of Republic Lit Fest, Editor of TFI Post and a resident of Puducherry said that the manner in which Lakshmi was taken away seemed completely unethical and illegal. He said that the Forest Department picked her up on the grounds that the temple failed to furnish the health records of Lakshmi. However, it is the Animal Husbandry Department’s job to maintain the records. He went on to say in his Twitter post that nobody from Animal Husbandry Department was consulted and that the Forest Department failed to take the opinions of veterinarians. It seems that the mahouts were also threatened with consequences if they didn’t let Lakshmi go.
Despite PETA’s claim of ill treatment and the elephant carrying injuries in foot, Lakshmi was made to walk 10 kms to the Krishi Vigyan Kendra campus on tar road. In the centre she has been facing much more agony with scanty food and water and no proper shelter. A fishnet is being used to protect her. On her first night at the temporary shelter, she was almost bitten by a snake.
On June 25, it was reported in a Tamil newspaper that Lakshmi was struggling for life at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra. She hasn’t slept for days due to the physical and mental trauma she has been put through at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
United Protests
Lakshmi’s plight invited people from different sections to put a united front to save Lakshmi. Prominent personalities, activities and leader continued to speak out and campaigned for saving Lakshmi from PETA. Hindu Makkal Katchi’s leader Arjun Sampath was also instrumental in this campaign.
தமிழகத்தில் இந்துகளுக்காக போராடும் ஒரே உன்னத தலைவன் @imkarjunsampath நீவிர் நீடுழி வாழ்க! pic.twitter.com/TLFXgI1bTE
— Muraliத் தேவரின் குரல்! (@rawincare1) July 9, 2020
Thread on Lakshmi the elephant
Lakshmi, the temple elephant, came to Pondicherry in 1997, a year after I was born. She lived down the road from us. The Manakular Vinayagam temple, barely a few hundred metres from home, is where she spent the day.
1/n
— Ajit Datta (@ajitdatta) June 9, 2020
Congress’ help
Realizing PETA’s involvement to separate Lakshmi from the temple permanently, the Congress party extended a helping hand in the process of bringing Lakshmi back to the temple. Americai V. Narayanan of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee made efforts to save Lakshmi from PETA.
Request @CMPuducherry to move detained temple elephant #lakshmi from a private insecure person based on the Trisha from @Manekagandhibjp to a nearby HINDU temple, the proper place is made available for her. @INCPuducherry @LakshmiINC @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @SanjaySDutt https://t.co/m6vYWGopZB
— Americai V Narayanan 'அமெரிக்கை' வி நாராயணன் (@americai) July 10, 2020
Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy apprised of the matter issued an order to send the temple elephant Lakshmi back to the temple. He also ordered the temple administration to take care of the temple elephant.
We got our lakshmi back.
The official order of CMO Puducherry.
Thank you all the Dharmics.
This was your fight and you won't it. pic.twitter.com/cvC1VZ8R0R
— Indu Makkal Katchi ( Official ) (@Indumakalktchi) July 16, 2020
Lakshmi’s return home
Following this, Lakshmi was brought back to the Puducherry Manakkula Vinayagar Temple from the Kamaraj Agricultural Science Center in Kurumbapet.
She was accorded a jubilant welcome with people rejoicing her return. Lakshmi upon entering the temple can be trumpeting with joy.
லட்சுமியின் பிளிரல் மற்றும் சிறுநீர் கழித்தல் அவள் வீடு திரும்பிய சந்தோஷத்தை காட்டுவதுதான் பீட்டா மேனகாவுக்கு பாடம். போராட்டத்தில் எங்களுக்கு ஆதரவு தெரிவிக்காத பாஜகவுக்கும் இது சமர்ப்பணம்! pic.twitter.com/zBwlYWeejA
— Muraliத் தேவரின் குரல்! (@rawincare1) July 18, 2020
Puducherry BJP functionary P.S. Ganesh bowed to Lakshmi and received Lakshmi’s blessings and welcomed her to Puducherry. Large crowd of Hindus gathered and welcomed Lakshmi.
Puducherry Chief Minister Narayanasamy also welcomed the temple elephant Lakshmi and received blessings from her.
Sri Manakular Vinayagar temple elephant 'Lakshmi' returned #Puducherry after undergoing treatment and rejuvenation for over a month on the suburban Krishi Vigyan Kendra campus.
A warm welcome given this morning at the temple entrance. pic.twitter.com/esn6uZ2I3X— V.Narayanasamy (@VNarayanasami) July 18, 2020
Once again, PETA was sent running helter-skelter.