Renowned actor Jaya Ahsan and the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation have collaboratively lodged a compelling writ petition in the High Court, advocating for an immediate cessation of the brutal treatment endured by elephants.
The petition specifically targets the exploitation of elephants in captive circuses, rides, and various events, emphasizing the need to curb their training through abusive methods for entertainment purposes.
Drawing attention to the distressing conditions faced by captive elephants in Bangladesh, the petition urges the High Court to step in and address the ongoing issue of inhumane treatment.
Architect Rakibul Haque Amil, the esteemed founder and chairperson of PAW, is representing the petitioners in court. Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Saqeb Mahbub has filed the writ for hearing, citing it as a matter of public interest.
Despite assurances from both animal rights activists and the forest department, the petitioners highlight the lack of substantial action taken to combat the ongoing abuse of elephants.
The petition stresses that mistreated elephants, exhibiting signs of inner anger and pain, have been linked to incidents resulting in loss of lives and property in localities.
Furthermore, the filing underscores the violation of crucial laws such as the Wildlife (Preservation and Security) Act, 2012, and the Animal Welfare (Service Animals) Act 2019. These laws are flouted in the context of training elephants through brutal methods for circuses and extortion activities.
The controversial licensing of elephants by the forest department for use in private circuses is called into question, particularly in light of the critically endangered status of the Asian elephant, as listed by the IUCN red list.
