Guwahati: The Chennai-based organisation People for Cattle in India (PFCI) has filed an Implead Petition with the Gauhati High Court, seeking the immediate rescue and rehabilitation of Jeymalyatha (Joymala), a captive elephant allegedly subjected to severe abuse and neglect.
Currently held at the Arulmigu Nachiyar (Andal) Temple in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, Joymala has been in captivity for over a decade, despite her transfer order expiring in 2013.
PFCI, which advocates for animal welfare, claims that Joymala has been subjected to illegal custody and mistreatment under the temple’s management, which has failed to address the elephant’s dire condition despite multiple complaints and reports.
The organisation has presented video evidence from February 2021 and June 2022, showing Joymala being beaten by her mahouts.
These incidents, they argue, are just a few examples of the ongoing physical abuse she has endured.
Furthermore, PFCI has submitted inspection reports from the District Level Captive Elephants Welfare Committee (DLEWC) from 2022 and 2023, which point out critical welfare issues such as prolonged tethering, inadequate nutrition, lack of proper exercise, and extreme stress, all of which violate animal welfare standards.
Despite mounting evidence of abuse, the Tamil Nadu authorities have allegedly failed to take meaningful action.
PFCI highlights that in June 2023, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department’s Deputy Director acknowledged the elephant’s poor conditions but did not enforce any corrective measures.
In light of this, PFCI has proposed an alternative solution for the temple: replacing live elephants in rituals with mechanical elephants.
This humane alternative, already adopted by some temples in Kerala, would allow religious practices to continue without further harm to living elephants.
In addition to advocating for Joymala’s release, PFCI has filed a police complaint against the temple authorities, accusing them of physical assault and intimidation.
On December 23, 2024, PFCI founder Arun Prasanna G. visited the temple to document Joymala’s condition but was reportedly attacked by a mahout and temple staff.
Despite attempting to file an FIR, Prasanna’s request was allegedly denied at the local police station, prompting him to escalate the matter to the Superintendent of Police, Virudhunagar District.
PFCI’s petition argues that the continued confinement of Joymala at the temple violates the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Ministry of Environment and Forests’ 2008 guidelines for captive elephants.
The organisation is seeking her immediate transfer to a wildlife sanctuary, where she can live freely in a natural environment, unchained and without fear of abuse.
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The petition also calls for legal action against those responsible for her mistreatment.
Joymala was originally owned by Girin Moran from Tinsukia, Assam, who transferred her to the temple in 2011 through a middleman with necessary forest department approvals.
However, the lease agreement with the Tamil Nadu government was only meant to be temporary, and despite the agreement’s expiration, Joymala has been forcibly held at the Srivilliputhur temple ever since, which violates the legal frameworks governing captive elephants.
Animal rights groups, including PETA India, have long claimed that Joymala’s captivity at the temple is unlawful and have made repeated appeals for her release.
