UK Indymedia - Open letter for CM, Rajasthan to ban Elephant Polo in the State - Naresh Kadyan

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Open letter for CM, Rajasthan to ban Elephant Polo in the State - Naresh Kadyan

 

Naresh Kadyan, Representative of OIPA in India & Chairman - PFA Haryana,

01.03.2009 11:15

 

Kind attention:-

Shri Ashok Gehlot,

Honourable Chief Minister, Rajasthan State Government

Jaipur (Rajasthan) - India

 

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the International Organization for Animal Protection - OIPA INDIA &

PFA Haryana, I would like to express our concern

over the continued abuse of elephants used in festivals in India, in

particular the forthcoming " Elephant Festival " scheduled for March 10th in

Jaipur. According to the Rajasthan Travel Guide, heavily decorated elephants

at the festival will be paraded in a " catwalk " format, be required to run

races, compete in a " tug of war " with people, and play polo, among other

activities. The Rajasthan Travel Guide suggests that the festival has been

" devised especially with the tourist in mind " (see http://www.

rajasthantravelguide.com/rajasthan_fair_festivals/elephant_festival.html).

 

Forcing these majestic animals to perform the kinds of degrading acts

referred to in the travel guide represents not only a degradation of

everything these magnificent animals represent, but also a violation of

India's animal rights legislation. Such activities, far from celebrating and

revering the role of elephants in India's society and ecosystem, only serve

to reduce this iconic animal to no more than a cheap circus act, and are

designed purely to generate revenue from tourists.

 

We understand that in 2005 the Animal Welfare Board of India successfully

dissuaded the Assam State Government from forcing festival elephants to

perform such events as races, fights, tug of wars, and football, since when

festivals celebrating elephants have continued successfully in Assam without

resorting to these kinds of activities. We urge you to follow the lead of

Assam and remove these events from festivals held in Rajasthan.

It would be pertinent to mention here that undersigned moved a public interest

litigation (PIL) in the High Court at Jaipur

-http://elephantpolo-kadyan.blogspot.com/, few Elephants were found in illegal

captivity & State Govt. failed to rescue these Elephants till date.

 

Sincerely,

Naresh Kadyan,

OIPA -http://www.oipa.org

Representative for INDIA,

-http://www.oipa.org/oipa/news/oipaindia.html

-http://www.oipa.org/oipaindia.html

-http://www.oipa.org/OIPA%20INDIA/hunting.html

-http://www.pfaharyana.in

-http://nareshkadyan.blogspot.com/

-http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/420777.html

Mobile - +91-9813010595

- +91- 9313312099

 

 

 

e-mail: kadyan.ipfa

 

 

Homepage: http://www.pfaharyana.in

 

 

 

Source of this emailed article:

http://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/03/423215.html

 

 

 

Attached comment from Naresh Kadyan: