States » SouthPosted at: Oct 24 2026 8:05PM


Somanna incident puts elephants’ role in Dasara under scientific review: Madhu Bangarappa

Shivamogga, Oct 24 (UNI) The incident involving Dasara elephant Somanna during Mysuru’s Jamboo Savari has brought the use of elephants in public festivities under scrutiny, with Karnataka School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa saying the State government will take a scientific view before deciding whether they should continue to be part of such celebrations.
“The government will take a scientific view on whether elephants should be part of festivals such as Dasara,” Bangarappa told reporters here on Saturday after holding a meeting with officials to review the incidents during the Dasara procession.
Somanna, the elephant carrying the howdah during the procession on October 21, suddenly turned back and ran helter-skelter along the route, triggering chaos and leaving spectators shaken.
The incident has renewed concerns over the risks associated with deploying elephants in crowded public events, where the safety of spectators, mahouts and other participants remains a key consideration.
Bangarappa, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Shivamogga district, said the government would examine the question before arriving at a decision on the participation of elephants in festivals such as Mysuru Dasara.
The issue brings into focus the challenge of balancing public safety with the preservation of Karnataka’s cultural traditions. Caparisoned elephants have long been a central attraction of the annual Jamboo Savari, with the lead elephant traditionally carrying the golden howdah.
The government’s proposed scientific review could prove significant in determining how the participation of elephants in major public festivities is assessed in the wake of incidents such as the one involving Somanna.
UNI BDN
Tags: #Somanna incident puts elephants’ role in Dasara under scientific review: Madhu Bangarappa
More News

Cash for jobs case : Madras HC nixes former DMK Minister's review plea against its order to DVAC to file FIR

26 Oct 2026 | 11:26 AM

Chennai, Oct 26 (UNI) The Madras High Court on Monday dismissed a review petition filed by senior DMK leader and former Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Local Administration Minister K.N. Nehru seeking to review its order directing the DVAC to file
a corruption case immediately in the multi-crore cash for jobs scam during the previous DMK regime.

see more..

Telangana BJP slams Kharge over 'Modi ka baap bhi jayega' remark

26 Oct 2026 | 10:41 AM

Hyderabad, Oct 26 (UNI) The Telangana BJP on Monday criticised Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his reported "Modi ka baap bhi jayega" remark at a public event in Patna, accusing the Congress leadership of lowering political discourse by resorting to personal attacks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

see more..

Depression over Bay intensifies as Cyclonic Storm Arnab, to become Very Severe

26 Oct 2026 | 9:23 AM

Chennai, Oct 26 (UNI) The Depression over the Bay has concentrated into a Deep Depression and further intensified as a Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab' on Monday morning, even as several parts of Tamil Nadu, especially the Western Ghat, south coastal, northern and interior districts received heavy.

see more..

Orange alert in four Kerala districts today; heavy rain likely

26 Oct 2026 | 7:19 AM

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 26 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert in four districts of Kerala on Monday, warning of the possibility of very heavy rainfall at isolated places.

see more..

Kerala clears cooperative society's plan to launch flight services: CM assures deposit protection

26 Oct 2026 | 7:12 AM

Kozhikode, Oct 26 (UNI) The Kerala Government has granted permission to the Kerala Civil Aviation Development Cooperative Society to launch flight services.

see more..