PETA India and Zahrah S. Khan have proposed using a mechanical elephant for Hyderabad’s Bibi-ka-Alam Muharram procession, replacing live animals traditionally rented from other states. The initiative aims to prevent animal suffering and improve public safety during large gatherings.
Published Date – 28 May 2026, 12:10 PM
Hyderabad: Efforts are on to convince organisers of the annual Bibi-ka-Alam Muharram procession in Hyderabad’s old city to feature a mechanical elephant this June, instead of a live elephant, which is usually rented from neighbouring States.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals India (PETA India) is collaborating with vegan actor and singer Zahrah S. Khan, to offer the gift of a life-size mechanical elephant to the Telangana State Waqf Board.
In a letter sent to the State Waqf Board, Zahrah explained that captive elephants are chained and beaten by handlers to force them to perform, and that they become distressed in loud human environments. Humans are put at risk when upset elephants rampage in crowds.
Mechanical elephants can do what real elephants do, without the suffering part. They can shake their heads, move their ears and eyes, swish their tails, lift their trunks, and even spray water. Equipped with a mounted seat, they can carry people, too, while operating on a stable wheeled platform.
Zahrah Khan in the letter said that mechanical elephants have already been embraced by numerous Hindu temples, a Jain temple, and starting to be used in weddings too.
“The Quran and Hadith emphasize mercy and kindness towards living beings. By using a mechanical elephant instead of an elephant suffering in captivity, the Telangana State Waqf Board could set a compassionate example and become the first in the country to use the mechanical marvel at Islamic events,” Zahrah Khan said.
Repeated tragedies have shown the terrible cost of forcing elephants into such stressful situations. In 2004, an elephant named Gajalakshmi ran amok during a Muharram procession, endangering the lives of all attendees.
In 2017, elephant Madhuri from Kolhapur who killed the chief priest of a Jain temple was rented for the procession. Just last year, a visually impaired elephant named Rupavathi was forced into the Muharram procession despite suffering from painful arthritis, putting many in danger.
According to PETA India, at present, more than 30 mechanical elephants are used in temples across the country, and PETA India has donated 26 to recognise temples’ decisions to never own or hire live elephants.
