Mysuru: Rural development and panchayat raj minister Eshwar B Khandre has urged forest minister Ramalinga Reddy to allow 60-year-old Dasara jumbo Abhimanyu to participate in this year’s Mysuru Dasara and give the veteran elephant a royal farewell.In a letter to Reddy, Khandre, who previously held the forest portfolio in the Siddaramaiah govt, said Abhimanyu, who has carried the 750-kg Golden Howdah six times, enjoys a huge fan following across Karnataka and should not be abruptly excluded from the state’s premier cultural festival.He suggested Abhimanyu be allowed to participate in the procession and make a dignified final appearance at the Dasara festivities.Abhimanyu, from the Mattigodu elephant camp in Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, has participated in more than 300 elephant capture operations and over 80 tiger capture operations. His association with Mysuru Dasara has made him particularly popular, with his presence while carrying the Golden Howdah becoming a major attraction.Khandre said the Dasara procession was the centrepiece of Mysuru Dasara and that people across Karnataka shared a deep emotional bond with the Dasara elephants, particularly those entrusted with carrying the Golden Howdah.“Dropping Abhimanyu from the Dasara festival has shocked lakhs of his fans,” he said in the letter, urging the forest department to consider public sentiment. Khandre also pointed out that elephants such as Arjuna had participated in the Dasara festivities even after crossing the age of 60, while Balarama too had continued to take part in the procession.Meanwhile, chief conservator of forests (Mysuru Circle) Ravishankar said Abhimanyu, who has completed 60 years, was not selected in accordance with the selection criteria. He clarified there was no discrimination in the process and that the elephant’s broken tusk was not a factor in the decision.Bheema has been kept in reserve as he is currently in musth. Officials said it would not be advisable to bring him to Mysuru during this period. However, given his popularity, Bheema could be considered if his musth subsides in time, the IFS officer said.For the first time, ECG tests were conducted on all elephants selected for Dasara, and officials said all were found to be healthy. The new howdah elephant will be chosen after the elephants arrive in Mysuru and undergo training. Their performance, behaviour and temperament during training will determine the selection.
