TN activists want PETA to apologise on false campaign against ill-treatment of elephant

An NGO in Tamil Nadu has demanded Peta India apologises for spreading misinformation regarding an elephant. Peta India had tweeted about an elephant being ill-treated on Twitter, which led to a massive uproar.

Chennai: Animal rights activists in Tamil Nadu have lashed out against PETA India for spreading false information on the ill-treatment of a captive elephant. Poovulagin Nanbargal, an NGO, said that PETA India had been spreading false information that Jayamalyatha, an elephant with the Srivilliputhur temple, was being ill-treated. The NGO said that an old video was being circulated on social media platforms with malicious interests, adding that PETA India was involved in the circulation.

PETA India had shared a post on Twitter that the elephant was being ill-treated in the temple leading to massive outrage, including from Bollywood celebrities. The protesters demanded that those who have ill-treated the elephant be brought before the law of the land and ensure that strict action is taken against them.

In a statement, Poovuligan Nanbargal said: "Far from the truth, Jayamalyatha (Joymala in Assam) is being well taken care of by the authorities of Srivilliputhur temple. She is in good health and doing great. A shower and a special bath facility have also been created for her. A committee of experts has been looking after her health and has been visiting her at regular intervals. Even the day before, a committee including a veterinarian visited her and certified that she was in good health. PETA India should apologize for spreading malicious and fake news."

Sajitha Rameswari, an elephant activist said: "It is indeed a false spreading of news even as Jayamalyatha has been treated well in Tamil Nadu. Those who have spread this should be brought to justice." (IANS)