Why Kerala's 'celebrity' elephant has been banned from festivals

The elephant is banned as it is unlawful to parade blind elephants This is the first time such a ban has come into place anywhere in the state

Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, an elephant popular among the festival circles Kerala, has been temporarily banned from parading in festivals in Ernakulam district, after it was found to be partially blind.

An order in this regard has been issued by Ernakulam District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla, District Administration officials said in Kochi on Tuesday.

The elephant is banned from parading as it is unlawful to parade blind elephants, as per the rules. "The step is taken to ensure the safety and security of the people attending the festivals," the officials said.

This is the first time such a ban has come into place anywhere in the state, known for its love for elephants.

Earlier, Heritage Animal Taskforce, a state-based animal rights campaigner, had alleged that Thechikottukavu Ramachandran which is being paraded in temple festivals, has a track history of killing 11 people and three elephants.

Thechikottukavu Ramachandran, a crowd-puller in temple festivals across the state due to its height, is owned by a temple Devaswom in Thrissur.

(with inputs from PTI)