Frame SOP governing participation of elephants in temple events, religious functions, Madras HC directs Tamil Nadu government

By The Hindu Staff

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Frame SOP governing participation of elephants in temple events, religious functions, Madras HC directs Tamil Nadu government — Photo credit: The Hindu

Image used for representational purposes only | Photo Credit: Siddhant Thakur

The Madras High Court on Thursday (October 1, 2026) directed the Tamil Nadu government to formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) governing the use of elephants in religious functions and temple festivals strictly in compliance with animal welfare and safety standards.

First Division Bench of Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan directed the Environment, Climate Change and Forests secretary and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) secretary to first constitue a Joint Working Group (JWG).

The JWG should consist of the Chief Wildlife Warden, HR&CE Commissioner and expert veterinary officers and it shall draft and submit a comprehensive and standardised SOP governing all aspects related to the participation of elephants in religious events and temple festivals, the Bench ordered.

The judges said, the SOP should provide for pre-festival health & microchip verification process by making it mandatory to obtain veterinary fitness certification, physical inspection, and verification of microchips/DNA profiles prior to granting permission for participation of the pachyderms in any festival.

Originally published by The Hindu on Oct 1, 2026 Read the full article at thehindu.com

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