Hyderabad: The handlers of eight elephants under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams have come under the scanner for allegedly selling the animals’ hair for hefty prices to devotees. Using the Indian elephant’s hair, even if it is found fallen on the ground, is illegal. But director of TTD Dairy Farm and veterinarian Dr K. Haranath Reddy has rubbished the allegations.
“Such allegations had come to our notice twice but they were proven to be false. The allegations have come to my notice again and we will conduct an inquiry. I am sure the fresh accusations will also not hold true because spreading of such false information is being done by people with vested interests, who might even be TTD employees,” he said.
Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Assurances Implementation Committee P. Venkatesh, who had visited the dairy farm in TTD on July 6, had earlier told the media that the committee would inquire into the issue and bring it to the AP Chief Minister’s notice.
However, some are not ready to believe that the allegation is just a rumour. Mr Venkatesh, a local leader from Tirupati said, “TTD officials are aware of it but they turned a blind eye. Goshalas where the elephants are kept have actually become business centers.”
According to superstition, not just in India but in parts of Africa too, elephant hair is supposed to ward off evil spirits. This belief is prevalent in the city too, a goldsmith from Secunderabad said.
“We get elephant hair from Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu too. A strand of hair costs anywhere between Rs 500-1,000 and is used in gold rings.”
Elephant hair jewellery is even being advertised on the Internet by jewellery stores or on popular e-commerce portals.
