Pink elephant, red flags: Jaipur shoot sparks outrage

After photos and videos of Russian artist Julia Buruleva’s photoshoot featuring a pink-painted elephant in Jaipur surfaced on social media recently, it has sparked massive outrage among animal lovers. Multiple news outlets quoted elephant owner Shadik Khan, who said that the elephant was not being used for rides at the time. According to him the shoot lasted for ten minutes. Shadik maintained that organic gulaal was applied on the animal and was washed off immediately post the shoot. He added that the elephant passed away in February at the age of 65, considered an advanced age for an elephant, and her death is believed to have been due to natural causes.

What happened?
As per reports, the photoshoot, which also featured a model named Yashasvi, was done last year. Chanchal, the 65-year-old female elephant used for the shoot, died last month. While there is no evidence to suggest the shoot had anything to do with it, the photos and videos have now sparked animal safety concerns. In a post, the photographer, who called elephants “practically the main symbol of Rajasthan,” wrote, “For anyone worried about the elephant, we used organic, locally-made paint, the same kind locals use for festivals, so it was absolutely safe for the animal.” The Rajasthan Forest Department has now initiated a probe into the incident.

This incident has upset people across India: Rupali Ganguly

Rupali Ganguly expressed concern over the alleged mistreatment and death of a captive elephant. In a letter to the PM, she wrote, “As a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India), I write with deep sadness about Chanchal, the captive elephant in Rajasthan who was painted bright pink and used as a prop for a photoshoot – and who is reported to have died – and about other elephants still used for rides. This incident has upset people across India and beyond, reflecting how strongly the public now feels against elephant exploitation...While the photoshoot has horrified the public, elephants used for rides – at places like Amer Fort – endure an even harsher daily reality: they are kept chained when not in use and often controlled through weapons. Frustrated, they have been known to attack humans or each other.”

‘Elephant rides need to be discontinued in India’

Reacting to the news, Khushboo Gupta, Vice President of Policy PETA India, said “Elephant Chanchal’s reported death after she was painted bright pink for a photoshoot signals a state of emergency for India’s captive elephants who suffer physically and mentally. The elephants used for rides and other performances are routinely kept chained when not in use and controlled through weapons – conditions that cause intense distress. We have long recommended phasing out elephant rides near Jaipur and elsewhere by replacing them with decorated electric vehicles and robot elephants. Indonesia has already ended elephant rides for elephant and human protection, and India must do the same.”

It highlights rampant abuse of captive elephants: Activists

Sanjay Kaushik, a travel expert and founder of Friends of Rajasthan Tourism, says, “I am shocked to see how people are treating animals merely for commercial gains.” Shubhobroto Ghosh, Wildlife Campaign Manager, World Animal Protection, an animal welfare organisation, says, “The incident highlights the rampant abuse of captive elephants in Jaipur to cater to tourists’ whims and fancies. We are calling upon the authorities to strictly regulate all close encounters of captive elephants with all tourists, including foreign tourists, in Jaipur, and all over India.”