SC Clarifies Focus on Captive Elephant Well-being, Not Religious Rights
· India · The Hindu, Hindustan Times
The Supreme Court stated on Tuesday that captive elephants serving in temples must be treated as manifestations of divinity while issuing directions concerning their health and upkeep. A Bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana clarified that the proceedings do not delve into religious rights or faith, but focus exclusively on best practices for managing captive elephants across private individuals, circuses, temples, Forest Departments, zoos and rehabilitation centres. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, presented an office memorandum from the Captive Elephants Healthcare and Welfare Committee showing the captive elephant population rose from 2,675 to 2,725. Senior advocate K. Parameshwar, intervening for Kerala temple managements, stated that captive elephants in the state are tagged, monitored, and bound by strict welfare rules as an essential part of faith. Wildlife Rescu
Why it matters
The Supreme Court's directives directly impact captive elephant management practices across temples, zoos, circuses, and forest departments nationwide, establishing welfare standards regardless of religious traditions.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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