The potential for conflict between Karnataka and Telangana over the transportation of an elephant for Hyderabad’s Bonalu festival and Bibi-ka-Alam procession during Muharram has been successfully defused. This resolution came about due to the swift actions of the Karnataka Forest Department (KFD), preventing any deterioration in inter-state relations.
The issue arose when the Government of India raised concerns about Rupavathi, the elephant’s, travel plans following objections from several animal rights activists. Rupavathi was prepared to depart from Davanagere but ended up stranded in Ballari, caught in a bureaucratic and activist-induced stalemate. The situation began to unfold when Telangana’s Forest Minister, Konda Surekha, announced that Rupavathi would be coming from Karnataka following discussions with Karnataka’s Forest Minister, Eshwar Khandre. The Karnataka Chief Wildlife Warden subsequently authorised Rupavathi’s transportation from the Sri Jagadguru Panchacharya Mandir Trust in Davanagere. With the necessary permits in hand, Telangana officials set off with Rupavathi two days prior to the impasse. However, animal rights activists, citing health concerns, contested Rupavathi’s participation in the festivals. They argued that Rupavathi was medically unfit, referencing a June examination that revealed a 70% impairment in her right eye and a poor condition of her foot.
PETA India’s officials expressed their concerns, saying, “During our June visit to Davanagere, we found Rupavathi’s right eye had 70% functionality loss and her foot was in poor condition.” They further criticised the lack of access for a more thorough examination, which raised doubts about the transparency of Rupavathi’s caretakers. In response to these concerns, the central government called for a fresh examination of Rupavathi by certified veterinarians. This prompted intervention from Telangana officials, with Dr. Mirza Raza Ali Baig, Deputy Director of Correctional Services at Telangana’s Juvenile Justice Department, requesting the Karnataka Forest Department to release the elephant. “We deployed trained veterinarians from Hyderabad zoo to take care of the elephant,” stated Dr. Baig.
Karnataka’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Subhash Malkhede, clarified that after a meeting on Saturday and obtaining the necessary permissions, Rupavathi was allowed to travel. “The central committee required an updated medical report. Experienced veterinarians were deployed to collect samples. All parameters were normal, and the physical examination of the elephant was positive,” explained the PCCF. This resolution highlights the complexities of inter-state cooperation and the importance of addressing animal welfare concerns with transparency and due diligence. Rupavathi’s journey to Hyderabad underscores the need for careful coordination between state and central authorities, animal welfare organisations, and the general public.
