Hyderabad: Roopvathi, the elephant which will be used for the procession of Bibi Ka Alam and subsequently Bonalu festivities reached Hyderabad in the early hours of Sunday, July 14.
A video of the elephant being transported on a truck has surfaced on social media platforms.
Roopvathi is currently housed at the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Office in Darushifa.
The medical examinations of the elephant were conducted on Saturday. A committee constituted by the Supreme Court had issued the clearance.
“We are relieved a lot after the developments. Our opponents were trying their level best to stop the transportation and use of the elephant. But by the grace of Allah, we are bringing the elephant,” said AIMIM MLC Riyaz ul Hassan Effendi (Goldie).
Earlier, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Friday put in abeyance the transportation of an elephant from Karnataka to Telangana after animal right organisation PETA objected to it.
PETA opposed Roopvathi’s travel
According to a PETA press release, the 36-year-old Roopvathi was suffering from arthritis, was overweight and suffered blindness in one eye deeming it unfit for travelling a long distance. PETA had suggested a mechanical elephant instead.
However, Telangana minister Konda Surekha had discussed with the government of Karnataka and took approval for transporting the elephant after receiving the medical certificate that the elephant was not seriously ill and was fit to take part in the processions.
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