Rupali Ganguly urges PM Modi to end elephant rides
What's the story
Actor Rupali Ganguly, known for her role in Anupamaa, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The letter was penned in light of the recent controversy over a pink-painted elephant used for a photoshoot in Rajasthan. A Russian photographer, Julia Buruleva, painted a real elephant named Chanchal bright pink for a photoshoot in Rajasthan's Jaipur, after which the animal reportedly died. In her letter, Ganguly mourned the death of Chanchal and urged an end to elephant rides.
Letter content
'Robotic elephants, decorated electric vehicles...be used': Ganguly's letter
Ganguly wrote, "This incident has upset people across India and beyond, reflecting how strongly the public now feels against elephant exploitation." "On World Wildlife Day, you shared the importance of wildlife protection. It is in this spirit, I respectfully urge that India end all elephant rides as Indonesia has now done, and that robotic elephants, decorated electric vehicles, and other non-animal alternatives be encouraged for use to protect our national heritage animal from use in cruel spectacles."
Owner's link
Owner of pink elephant linked to another abused elephant
Ganguly also pointed out that the owner mentioned in news reports, Saddik/Shadik Khan, is linked to Malti, another elephant who was used for rides at Amer Fort. Malti was reportedly beaten and later transferred to a sanctuary after PETA India's intervention. Elephants used for rides at sites such as Amer Fort are routinely kept chained when not in use and controlled through weapons.
Animal welfare
Letter highlights PETA India's recommendations
PETA India has long recommended phasing out elephant rides and other uses of elephants near Jaipur and elsewhere by replacing them with decorated electric vehicles and robot elephants. Ganguly is a longtime PETA India supporter and she had formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024.