Congress MP and Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi has questioned the transfer of a five-year-old female elephant named Durga from Assam’s Manas National Park to the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
Gogoi raised the issue in a social media post on September 15. He alleged that authorities moved Durga out of Assam on September 7 without informing the people of the state.
He also questioned the circumstances surrounding the transfer. Gogoi said the authorities should clarify Durga’s actual age, origin and ownership. He also asked whether officials followed all applicable rules and permissions before moving the elephant.
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Durga Travels Nearly 3,000 Kilometres
Durga has travelled nearly 3,000 kilometres from Assam to Madurai. She reached the Meenakshi Amman Temple around September 14 and arrived amid celebrations for Vinayaka Chaturthi.
Temple staff and devotees welcomed the young elephant after her arrival. The temple already has another female elephant named Parvathi.
Reports from Tamil Nadu said the forest authorities granted permission for Durga’s transfer. Her arrival followed a recent Madras High Court ruling that set aside an earlier order restricting temples from purchasing elephants or accepting them as donations.
The transfer has nevertheless raised questions among conservationists and animal welfare advocates. They have sought greater clarity about the process and the conditions surrounding the relocation.
Gogoi Calls for Greater Transparency
Gogoi has asked the Assam government and the Manas administration to make details of Durga’s transfer public.
The Congress leader questioned why the elephant left Assam at night and why authorities did not provide information about the movement earlier. He also raised questions about the ownership of the animal.
Gogoi said people in Assam deserve to know whether officials followed the required rules. He also questioned whether any commercial interests played a role in the transfer. These remain allegations from Gogoi, and the available reports do not independently establish wrongdoing.
He has also demanded Durga’s return to Assam.
Questions Over Other Elephant Transfers
Durga’s case has also drawn attention to other proposed elephant transfers from Assam to Tamil Nadu.
According to reports, four more elephants have been proposed for transfer. They include Hiralal, Shiva, Rupsing and Bijuli.
Hiralal and Shiva are proposed for the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. Rupsing is expected to go to the Vaitheeswaran Koil in Nagapattinam. Bijuli, a five-year-old female elephant, is proposed for the Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Gajashala in Kancheepuram.
The proposed transfers have attracted scrutiny from conservationists. Assam-based conservationist Rohit Choudhury has urged the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee to examine the proposed movements.
Choudhury has questioned the legality and welfare aspects of the transfers. He has also asked authorities to examine the ownership and proposed destinations of the elephants.
Conservationist Raises Legal Questions
The controversy has also entered the legal and regulatory space.
Choudhury referred to previous court proceedings involving the transfer of captive elephants. He argued that the High-Powered Committee should examine the legality and permissibility of elephant transfers.
He also questioned whether the elephants could receive care closer to their current locations instead of travelling long distances to Tamil Nadu.
These concerns have added another layer to the debate. Authorities must consider the required permissions, ownership records, transportation rules and animal welfare requirements before completing such transfers.
Tamil Nadu’s Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra, meanwhile, said that the No Objection Certificate for Durga’s transfer had already been received. He also said applications for the other proposed transfers were being processed.
Reports Claim More Than 1,200 Assam Elephants Are Outside the State
Gogoi has also raised a broader concern about elephants from Assam being moved outside the state.
In his social media post, he referred to reports claiming that more than 1,200 elephants from Assam are currently outside the state. He said many of these elephants were allegedly transferred under circumstances that remain unclear.
The figure comes from Gogoi’s statement and could not be independently verified from the available information. It therefore requires confirmation from official records.
His broader argument focuses on transparency. He has called for the authorities to disclose information about the movement and ownership of elephants leaving Assam.
Wildlife and Cultural Heritage
Gogoi also connected Assam’s elephants with the cultural identity of the state.
He said wildlife forms an important part of Assam’s heritage. He compared the significance of forests and elephants with the state’s traditions, history and religious culture.
His remarks came as questions over Durga’s transfer continued to attract attention in Assam.
The issue has brought together concerns about wildlife conservation, animal welfare, government transparency and the legal framework governing captive elephant transfers.
Focus on Elephant Welfare
The welfare of elephants remains a central issue in the debate.
A five-year-old elephant faces a long journey when transported across the country. Durga’s journey from Manas to Madurai covered nearly 3,000 kilometres.
Animal welfare advocates have therefore questioned the circumstances surrounding the transfer. They have called for authorities to ensure that transportation meets all required welfare standards.
The conditions at the destination also matter. Authorities need to ensure that the receiving institution can provide appropriate food, veterinary care, shelter and daily management.
These considerations apply not only to Durga but also to the other elephants proposed for transfer.
Assam Government Faces Questions
The controversy has placed attention on the role of the Assam Forest Department and the Manas administration.
Gogoi has asked the authorities to explain the circumstances of Durga’s transfer. He also wants details about her ownership, origin, age and the permissions issued for her movement.
Reports have also indicated that the Tamil Nadu Forest Department had cleared Durga’s transfer. However, questions remain among conservationists about the broader circumstances of the move.
A clear explanation from the concerned authorities could help establish the factual details surrounding the transfer.
‘Silent Exodus’ Debate Continues
Gogoi has described the reported movement of Assam’s elephants as a “silent exodus” and called for it to stop. His comments have intensified the public discussion surrounding Durga and other proposed elephant transfers.
At present, several aspects of the controversy remain disputed or require further official clarification. Reports confirm that Durga has reached the Meenakshi Amman Temple after travelling from Assam. Tamil Nadu authorities have also indicated that the necessary clearance for her transfer was obtained.
The remaining questions concern the ownership, source, approvals and circumstances surrounding the transfer.
What Happens Next
The Assam elephant Durga case has highlighted the need for clarity when captive elephants move between states. Gogoi has demanded greater transparency and asked for Durga’s return to Assam.
Meanwhile, conservationists have called for scrutiny of the proposed transfers involving other elephants.
As the debate continues, authorities in Assam and Tamil Nadu may face growing demands to provide detailed information about the transfers. Documentation of ownership, permissions, transportation arrangements and animal welfare measures could help clarify the circumstances.
For Assam, the controversy has also renewed discussion about the management of its elephants and the movement of captive animals outside the state. The focus now remains on Durga’s welfare and on obtaining clear answers about how and why the young elephant was transferred to Tamil Nadu.
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