INDIA, May 21, 2015 (The Hindu): A special convention of Elephant Owners Association held here on Monday called upon people to protect festivals and cultural heritage of the state. “The people with vested interests have misled the court that elephant owners were misusing elephants for making money. We should try to convince Union ministers about the importance of festivals, including Thrissur Pooram, in Kerala tradition,” said T.A. Sundar Menon, President of Elephant Owners Co-operative Sangam..
Cochin Devaswom Board former President Adv. M.A.A Krishnanunny said that the controversy over using elephants for festivals was an ongoing problem. “We should be able to convince the Supreme Court about the facts about festivals and elephant parades,” he said. Meeting called up on temple managements to pass resolution against move to ban elephant parades. Elephant Federation has also given instruction to mahouts that the elephants should not be harassed in any way.