Perhaps I am rushing in where angels fear to tread, but I believe that the matter needs to be considered and remedial measures put in place. Man and animals are coming increasingly in conflict with each other. The latest is the one that happened in Thrissur, where a temple elephant went on a rampage and trampled three people to death and injured a few others.

Our sympathies of course go out to those dead, bereaved and injured. One question, however, not only remains in my mind but haunts my conscience. Who are the aggressors and who the aggressed?

Temple festivals are spectacular and greatly looked forward to. They are backed by years of tradition and sanctified by deep faith. They bring in resources for the temples and revenue for the government by attracting tourists. All these considerations, however, have made us blind to the extreme cruelty practised on the docile and long-suffering elephants.

Few seem to know or care to realise the excruciating torture inflicted on these poor beasts. The money involved in hiring, transporting and managing them is so astronomical that it seems to be of no account if they suffer great agonies in the process. The grandeur and the splendour of the show mask the fact that the animals are made to walk miles on scorching roads or carted around in uncomfortable open trucks.

During the ceremony, they are made to stand for hours without food or water. Most mahouts are poorly trained and goad and prod the poor creatures into submission and obedience with sharp instruments. The decorations are heavy beyond belief and their feet are bound by heavy chains. These animals are extremely sensitive to noise but are made to stand in the midst of thunderous firework displays that are often competitive in nature.

In certain instances, the celebrations start early in the morning and carry on till the dawn of the next day. Apart from the torture of these extended proceedings, these animals have to put up with the insensitive teasing of spectators. Stones are thrown and there are those who attempt to pull off hair from their tails as these are prized items.

It is no wonder that in the seven months between October 2006 and April 2007, 152 elephants died from bad treatment and 68 handlers were trampled or gored to death.

When I was a child I was made to believe that the elephants waved their ears to and fro in enjoyment of the music. Today I realise that this belief was juvenile and the enjoyment a falsehood.

Festivals can be conducted without subjecting animals to such extreme torture. Their participation, if necessary, can be shortened. Can we not preserve our spirituality without abuse of our magnificent, endangered and dumb friends.

Leela Ramaswamy