Lakshmi, the elephant who was displaced from Manakula Vinayagar temple, has been sent back home following orders by Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanaswamy. It was confirmed on the official social media handle of the Union Territory on Monday.
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 department has been ordered by the Chief Minister to return Lakshmi to the temple.
Mr Subrat Goswami from Gurugram, who was involved in the efforts to bring Lakshmi home, has confirmed to us that the order for her return has been passed and following the completion of certain formalities, she will return to the Manakula Vinayagar Temple. Sources told that she is expected to be back by Wednesday.
Notably, Lakshmi has been with the temple since 1997 when she was adopted by the temple after being abandoned by her mother and has become synonymous with Puducherry.
Thanks to honourable Pondicherry CM Mr. @VNarayanasami for directing forest department to return Laxmi Elephant back to Temple!
We are grateful for the sincere efforts of Mr. @SanjaySDutt & Mr. @americai @ananthramanrkr @LakshmiINC @Ve_Vaithilingam
விழித்தெழுந்த த.இ,மா.பேரவை pic.twitter.com/hyJruB7CJX— Ashok Kumar (@dharunkumaran) July 13, 2020
Source: OpIndia