Wrong priorities: Kerala CM on hate campaign around elephant death

New Delhi: In the case of death of a pregnant elephant after reportedly eating an explosives-laden fruit in Kerala, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that “justice will prevail” while calling out those who “have used this tragedy to unleash a hate campaign”.

In a thread of strongly worded tweets, Vijayan said, “In a tragic incident in Palakkad dist, a pregnant elephant has lost its life. Many of you have reached out to us. We want to assure you that your concerns will not go in vain. Justice will prevail.An investigation is underway, focusing on three suspects…”

He also assured that the state will try to address the causes behind the increased incidences of human-wildlife conflict.

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Taking dig at BJP leaders like Maneka Gandhi and Union minister Prakash Javedkar, the CM said, “Having said that, we are saddened by the fact some have used this tragedy to unleash a hate campaign. Lies built upon inaccurate descriptions and half truths were employed to obliterate the truth. Some even tried to import bigotry into the narrative. Wrong priorities.”

Earlier on May 27, a pregnant wild elephant died after consuming a firecracker-laced fruit at Kottopadam panchayat that falls under Mannarkad forest division in Palakkad district. It died while standing in Velliyar river with the immediate cause of death as drowning and lung failure, its jaws were mangled due to explosion about two weeks prior to its death.

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