Shias to seek law to allow use of jumbos

Purani Haveli: For ensuring that the 'Bibi ka Alam' procession continues at grand scale by availing the service of Elephant from Zoo, Shias have decided to press the issue with the State government for coming up with a law on the lines of the one in Kerala where pachyderms traditionally remain the prime attraction.  

Following the recent judgement by High Court which dismissed the petition of Hazrath Ghouse-e-Azam Welfare Society over taking service of tuskers during the procession, advocate Syed Ali Jaffry representing the community said that the order had impacted earlier provision even for other festivities which availed of the service owing to some relaxation of norms.

"Since the order was pronounced without involvement of other parties who avail of the services of elephant Rajani each year during Bibi ka Alam and Bonalu processions. We have decided to go for an appeal in the High Court or will be knocking on the doors of Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, we shall be pursuing the matter with the State government through public representatives from the community for amending the existing orders or for enactment of law on the lines of a law in Kerala," he noted.

Strongly condemning the recent order by High Court Jaffry said that he would be knocking on the doors of Supreme Court and would be filling appeal in the matter.

Jaffry, also the Secretary of Shia Companions, said that the Government of Telangana should amend the GO Ms No 132 of 2009 permanently, as the GO prohibits the use of elephant in religious processions. "For this, the community elders would meet MLAs and MLC to pursue the matter with the State government," he added.