Tamil Nadu: Temple Elephant Subbulakshmi Dies Due To Injuries Sustained In Fire, BJP Alleges Neglect By HR&CE Department

In a tragic incident in Tamil Nadu's Karaikudi, Subbulakshmi, a temple elephant at the Kunnakudi Shanmughanathar temple, died due to burn injuries.

As per a news report, the elephant was housed in a shed covered by a tin roof that was covered by palm leaves to protect it from sunlight. This shed caught fire due to an electrical malfunction on the night of 12 September.

Though Subbulakshmi sustained injuries due to the blaze, it managed to come out. While care was provided by veterinarians and forest officials, the elephant passed away today (13 September).

M Nachiappan, the state president of Bharatiya Janata Party's spiritual and temple development wing, alleged that the death was because of the neglect of the temple administration and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department under the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government.

Further, he said that this was proof that the department, which has been previously accused of not maintaining temples, gaushalas, and deity's chariots, is also not looking after temple elephants.