Maneka takes up cudgels for hapless jumbo

September 17, 2018, 12:00 pm

It was wonderful for me to meet India’s Minister for Women and Child Development and internationally acclaimed animal rights activist, Maneka Gandhi, again at her Ministry at the Shastri Bhavan in New Delhi. I met her last in 1998 and travelled with her to her constituency in Pilibhit. A rare opportunity for a writer to see the inside of Indian politics. That too with a Gandhi of India. I lost touch with her thereafter and was able to make connections again thanks to the Editor of the Island, my friend Prabath Sahabandu.

I wanted Maneka’s help to Free Bandula the Elephant chained at the Zoo in Dehiwela since he was just three years old. I knew Maneka would help Sri Lankan and other animal lovers all over the world, as an environmentalist and animal rights leader in India who has earned international awards and worldwide acclaim.

Maneka started the organisation People for Animals in 1992. It is the largest organisation for animal rights and welfare in India.

Earlier via email she said, "I have signed it and sent it around. What we do in our country is actually go to court. Why not do that? What will make a difference is a sustained and hysterical campaign in the newspapers and a personal meeting with the minister" I agree. Maneka Gandhi is right. Our campaign was gathering momentum. Awareness had been created. Several newspapers and TV channels continue to support the campaign.

When I met her in New Delhi, Maneka Gandhi said she understood the plight of Bandula the elephant and went through a copy of the petition published in The Island newspaper. Maneka Gandhi spoke on camera and told the world: "This elephant is 70 years old. Elephants are exactly like people. They are humans in another form. They grieve, they cry. They look after their children, they get crossed with their infants. They remember everything. There is absolutely no difference. Yet, we treat them differently and so badly.

Bandula is 70 years old. He has been locked up for 67 years. Imagine if you would like that in jail. We are so scared of getting life term sentences, yet we put this elephant into iron fetters for 67 years. This is a thinking being, closest to the human being in thought and in intelligence. It is really important that a Buddhist country, a gentle beautiful country like Sri Lanka stay away from wanton cruelty. Why not release the elephant. He doesn't have long to live. He might be there for another five years, 10 years maximum because the age is exactly like human beings. So, let the last few years of Bandula go in happiness"

On my return to Sri Lanka Maneka wrote, "I am glad we met and if I can ever help in any way let me know. Let’s hope the campaign to free the elephant works."

Maneka, being an ardent animal rights activist, didn't stop at that she wrote to President Maithripala Sirisena, whom our petition is addressed to.

In her letter she said:

"Respected President,

"Many people in Sri Lanka have reached out to me about the plight of Bandula the elephant that has been chained for 67 years in the Dehiwela Zoo.

"Sri Lanka is such a gentle and beautiful island. It seems out of character to treat an elephant this way.

May I request you to release the elephant and send it to the Ridiyagama safari park to live free. We have, in India banned elephants in zoos because they showed so much stress at been chained for so long. Many went mad. Recently, we have released six elephants to a Safari Park. All of them were old and each one has turned into a youngster with delight and joy at their new found freedom. Please, could you take the same decision for all the seven elephants in the Zoo?
They are under extreme stress. Elephants have the same sensitivities as humans.

I am sure the gesture of compassion of yours will go a long way in increasing the goodwill for you and Sri Lanka all over the world"

Warm Regards

Signed,

Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

Maneka has also spoken to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa about the need to free Bandula, the elephant when he met her in New Delhi. She said that the former President had pledged his support for the cause. She also suggested that Sri Lanka should try to bring in legislation that no elephant can be tied up for more than one month continuously or kept in captivity for more than 10 years or less.

Bohod Dannewad! Bohoma Isthuthi; thank you very much; Shabash Maneka!