Guwahati, Sept 15: The spat between the governments of Assam and Tamil Nadu over leased elephants – particularly temple elephant Joymala – has now reached the court.
Assam government on Wednesday filed a petition in Gauhati High Court after Tamil Nadu refused to return the elephants, even as the Central government endorsed Tamil Nadu’s claim that Joymala was being looked after well. The Ministry of Environment and Forest tweeted, saying the present team is taking good care of the jumbo and recent visuals of cruelty to the animal were old.
Controversy erupted after animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a video claiming that Joymala was being subjected to cruelty at a temple in Tamil Nadu. Reacting to the video, the Tamil Nadu government said Joymala was “absolutely doing good” and tweeted a video of the elephant, countering PETA’s video.
“Elephant Joymala in Srivilliputhur Andal Temple. Absolutely doing good. Taken good care by the present team. Bathing facility has also been created. Some fake videos are circulating in social media. This video is taken today (5.9.22),” the tweet said, tagging PETA India.
