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It was reported that the temple cows are kept in a place that lacks proper ventilation and has poor drainage apart from slippery and broken floors.
The Kerala High Court has recently directed the deputy devaswom commissioner and the assistant devaswom commissioner of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) to ensure that the cows and bulls in the Gosala of Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple are properly taken care of by the Devaswom staff.
The division bench of Justice Anil K Narendran and Justice PG Ajithkumar observed that the Board has to take immediate measures to improve the health condition of the bulls and cows in the Gosala which should include periodical cleaning.
The order was passed in a suo motu matter which was initiated over a recent report that appeared in Mangalam daily dated May 26, 2023, highlighting the distressing state of the cows in the Gosala of Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple.
By an order dated June 6, 2023, the high court had directed the Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Government Veterinary Hospital, Vaikom to conduct an inspection in the Gosala of the temple and submit a report on the health of the bulls & cows and remedial measures that can be taken.
The Assistant Devaswom Commissioner, Vaikom and the Sub Group Officer, Keezhoor Devaswom were also directed to take necessary steps for proper disposal of solid waste in the temple premises.
When the matter came up for consideration on June 8, the court was apprised that at present 4 bulls and 3 cows are housed in the Gosala which lacks proper ventilation and has poor drainage, a slippery and broken floor.
During the inspection, it was also noticed that Gosala is close to the waste dumping area of the temple causing foul odor and fly menace and also, it lacks proper watering facility.
More importantly, the court was informed that out of 3 cows reared in the Gosala, 2 are suffering from fly bite allergy.
The report filed by the Senior Veterinary Surgeon also stated some remedial measures.
Taking note of the same, court directed the Standing Counsel for TDB to forward a copy of the report of the Senior Veterinary Surgeon to the Secretary of the Board.
Further, regarding the discharge of wastewater to the temple pond, court directed the Executive Engineer to take necessary steps to provide an independent drainage for the overflow mechanism from the temple pond.
Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala and Others
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