The Supreme Court has stayed the Kerala High Court’s order that sought to regulate the use of elephants in temple festivals, recognizing the practice as a deep-rooted cultural tradition. A bench led by Justices B.V. Nagarathna and S.C. Sharma observed that the High Court’s directive, which included setting mandatory distances between paraded elephants, could disrupt long-standing religious and cultural customs in the state.
The ruling came in response to a petition filed by the Viswa Gaja Seva Samithi, an organization advocating for the conservation and traditional use of elephants in religious ceremonies. The petitioners argued that the High Court’s stance undermined centuries-old Hindu traditions, where elephants are revered as sacred beings symbolizing strength and divinity. They also raised concerns about the influence of certain NGOs, alleging that external entities were attempting to restrict religious practices through judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court’s decision aligns with a previous order from December 2024, which had already stayed some of the High Court’s restrictions. In that ruling, the Court had acknowledged the impracticality of enforcing rigid distance rules between elephants in festival processions. The latest stay reinforces the view that temple rituals involving elephants are integral to Kerala’s cultural fabric and should be respected within the framework of existing wildlife and safety regulations.
The debate over the use of elephants in temple festivals has long been a sensitive issue, balancing cultural heritage with concerns about animal welfare. While conservationists advocate for stricter regulations to prevent mistreatment, devotees argue that these majestic animals are treated with reverence and care. The Supreme Court’s intervention is seen as a temporary relief for temple authorities and festival organizers, allowing time for further deliberation on how tradition and ethical treatment of animals can coexist.
