Is it curtains for Rajini for use in processions?

Hyderabad: For the last 12 years, Rajini has been the centre of attraction at the Bonalu festival at the Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Mandiram carrying the Ghatam. This year on July 29, the elephant may not be available as the High Court has banned the use of the animal.

G Niranjan, the president of the managing committee of Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Mandiram, says, "It is a Telangana tradition of using the elephant during religious processions and people from far and wide come for the festival. Every year the temple authorities make a request to the Nehru Zoological Park."

The zoo authorities say that in 2018 after the procession the animal fell sick and thereafter is a ban on its use was imposed by the Central Zoo Authority. According to GO MS 132, there is a ban on using animals for processions; but, every year, temple authorities make a request to Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests, following which a temporary relaxation is given. The relaxation is being given since 2009.

Nehru Zoo Curator N Kshitija said, "It is too early to comment as there is a court order." At a meeting held on Monday, the forest department said that an elephant would be provided for Bonalu festival but did not specify if it would be Rajini. According to sources, the department is mulling over bringing an elephant from neighbouring states. The Nizam's Trust purchased Rajini and handed her over to the zoo.

Officials at the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) say that the elephant is old now and is susceptible to injuries. Rajini would turn 52 in October. She is used for religious processions at Akkana Madanna Mahakali Temple, Haribowli, Nallapochamma temple, Sabji mandi and for Muharram.

Ghouse, the mahout who knew Rajini well, died a few years ago. At present, there are five animal keepers at the NZP. Temple authorities say that Rajini is still in good shape and any one of the animal keepers can bring the elephant out for processions.

1. Rajini is used for religious processions at Akkana Madanna Mahakali Temple, Haribowli, Ujjaini Mahakali Temple, Secunderabad, Nallapochamma temple, Sabji mandi and during Moharram during Bibi Ka Alam procession
2. Earlier this year in May, after a lot of debate and protests, an elephant –Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran, fondly called Raman – was allowed to participate in the Thrissur Pooram after Raman cleared a fitness test in Kerala
3. In 2007, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) passed an order to shift elephants from zoos to elephant centres as the zoos have limited space.
4. In 2009, a delegation of 12 MPs from United AP met the then Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, seeking relaxation and to use elephants for processions.
5. Rajini was purchased by the Nizam's Trust and handed over to Nehru Zoological Park which has been its home for almost three decades now.
6. Rajini will turn 52 this October