Vantara, a state-of-the-art animal rescue and rehabilitation center, has offered to establish a satellite rehabilitation center in Kolhapur for the elephant Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi. This offer comes amidst a controversy surrounding Madhuri's relocation to Vantara's facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat, following a court order.
Madhuri, a 36-year-old female elephant, had been living at the Shri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Jain Math in Nandani, Kolhapur, for over three decades. However, concerns were raised by PETA India regarding the elephant's health and well-being, leading to a Bombay High Court order on July 16, 2025, for her relocation to Vantara. The court's decision was based on reports citing Madhuri's deteriorated health and psychological suffering. The Supreme Court upheld this order on July 29, 2025.
The relocation sparked widespread protests in Kolhapur, with locals expressing strong emotional and spiritual attachment to Madhuri, who was considered a revered symbol of faith and an integral part of their religious and cultural identity. Over two lakh people signed a petition demanding Madhuri's return, and many boycotted Reliance-owned Jio services in protest. Former MP Raju Shetti alleged that PETA and Vantara were working against cultural traditions.
In response to the public sentiment and the ongoing controversy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the state government would extend full support to bring Madhuri back to Kolhapur. The state government and Nandani Math will file review petitions in the Supreme Court. The government also plans to form a veterinary team to oversee Madhuri's care and support legal efforts.
Vantara has stated it did not initiate or request the relocation of Madhuri but served as the "court-appointed recipient facility". Despite the controversy, Vantara has agreed to support the state government's petition and provide assistance in setting up a rehabilitation center for Madhuri in Kolhapur.
According to Vantara, the proposed facility will be developed in accordance with established animal welfare guidelines, after consultation with experts from the High-Powered Committee and with the consensus of the Math, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care. The facility will be built in consultation with the Guru of the Jain Math and the state government.
The case of Madhuri's relocation highlights the complex intersection of law, animal welfare, religious sentiments, and community identity. While legal and veterinary experts advocate for the elephant's well-being in a professional facility like Vantara, the people of Kolhapur view Madhuri as a sacred symbol whose presence is integral to their spiritual fabric. Vantara's offer to establish a satellite rehabilitation center in Kolhapur could potentially address both concerns, ensuring Madhuri's well-being while respecting the community's sentiments.
