Thousands march in silent rally in Kolhapur, demanding return of elephant Mahadevi by NGO Vantara

Kolhapur witnessed a massive turnout on Sunday (August 3, 2025) as thousands of locals walked in a silent protest, urging authorities to the bring back 36-year-old elephant Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, from NGO Vantara’s wildlife rehabilitation facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Vantara is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, son of industrialist Mukesh Ambani, and is supported by Reliance Industries Limited and Reliance Foundation

The march, led by former Swabhimani Kisan Sangathan president and former MP Raju Shetty, began at 5 a.m. from Nandani, and concluded at 5.45 p.m. at the Kolhapur District Collectorate, where a formal appeal was submitted. “We covered 45 km today. Over 30,000 people had gathered from Kolhpaur, Sangli and Satara. They joined a boycott of Jio (the Reliance Group telecom company), and in just the last four days, more than 1.5 lakh mobile users in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara districts ported their numbers to other networks in protest. We plan to carry out similar protests in north Karnataka, especially since it’s a border region and several temples there also have elephants. A crucial hearing is scheduled tomorrow in a Bengaluru court,” Mr. Shetty said. 

“This is a tactic by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), acting as a slave to (Mr. Anant) Ambani’s interests, to seize temple elephants. We will file a formal complaint with PETA’s head office in the U.S., and seek cancellation of their license in India,” he said, terming it a conspiracy.  

Mahadevi was in tears when she was taken away, Mr. Shetty said. “Even though that facility (Vantara) already has over 200 elephants, they wanted her because she’s beautiful,” he said. Over two lakh signatures had been collected from across Kolhapur, demanding Mahadevi’s return.  

HC upholds animal rights 

The Bombay High Court on July 16, 2025 had dismissed a petition by a Jain math in Kolhapur, Swasthishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha, challenging the transfer of the captive elephant Mahadevi to Vantara.  

The elephant, owned by the math since 1992, was reportedly kept in solitary confinement and used for religious processions despite medical issues. Multiple expert inspections, including reports by a sub-committee formed by the high-powered committee, found that the elephant was suffering from severe foot rot, ulcerated wounds, overgrown toenails, and exhibited signs of psychological distress.  

Though the math submitted certificates claiming improvement in Mahadevi’s health, the court noted that these were “cursory one-pagers” inconsistent with photographic and veterinary evidence.  

Despite the legal backing, Mahadevi’s transfer has sparked widespread local resentment. Many believe her presence at the Jain math held spiritual and cultural significance. BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik recently submitted a request to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, seeking her return. 

In response to public outcry, State Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said Vantara executives had assured full cooperation in finding a resolution.  

Vantara’s statement  

On August 3, Vantara, in a statement issued to The Hindu, said that there has been considerable misinformation surrounding the transfer of the elephant Mahadevi also known as, Madhuri, from a math in Kolhapur, to Vantara.  

“PETA, a respected animal welfare organisation, had been tracking the elephant’s condition since 2022. On 31 October 2023, it submitted a detailed complaint to the High Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The complaint annexed photographs, veterinary reports, and records pointing to serious physical injuries and psychological trauma suffered by the elephant, along with evidence of her commercial and illegal use,” the statement read.   

The statement further added that the elephant had been transported 13 times from Maharashtra to Telangana between 2012 and 2023, often without proper permissions from the Forest Department. On January 8, 2023, the Telangana Forest Department had registered Wildlife Offence POR No. 12-07/2022-23 under Sections 48A and 54 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 against B. Ismail, the elephant’s mahout, for using Mahadevi in a public procession unlawfully. The offence was later compounded upon the payment of ₹25,000 — seen as an admission of guilt — and custody was returned to a local handler in Kolhapur. 

“Reports and photographs documented that the elephant was being used commercially. She was sent for public processions including Muharram, used for begging, and publicly paraded. Children were made to sit in her trunk, and she was subjected to control with the banned metal ankush. In one of the more shocking practices, the Mutt was reportedly auctioning the opportunity to perform Pooja with the elephant, effectively monetising access to her. In 2017, the elephant had also fatally injured the head priest of the Mutt raising long-standing safety concerns,” Vantara’s statement said.  

It further added that on August 12, 2023, following a letter from the local police, a team of government veterinary doctors inspected the elephant and reported open wounds, lameness, footpad thinning, and signs of mental distress. “On 20 October 2023, Dr. Rakesh Chittora of Animal Rahat submitted a detailed medical report recommending hospitalisation and rehabilitation, also noting that the mahout lacked basic knowledge of elephant care. Based on these materials, the HPC initiated an inquiry but initially gave the Mutt a 3-month opportunity (from June 2024) to improve the elephant’s condition. Follow-up inspections in June and November 2024 showed only superficial changes—serious medical and welfare issues persisted. On 27 December 2024, the HPC passed an order directing that the elephant be relocated to RKTEWT (Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust) in Jamnagar, a facility with natural enclosures, veterinary care, socialisation opportunities, and trained elephant keepers,” the statement added. 

Vantara played no role in initiating or seeking the transfer. It was named recipient solely by the HPC based on its capability and track record in elephant welfare, the statement read.  

The mutt challenged the decision before the Bombay High Court, which dismissed the petition July 16 after a detailed hearing. The court found the HPC’s decision justified and prioritised the elephant’s welfare over religious customs. The Supreme Court of India upheld this ruling on July 28, and directed that the elephant be transferred within two weeks. The matter is now listed for compliance reporting on August 11.   

“The transfer has since been carried out by the authorities, and Vantara has merely complied with the court’s directions. The promoter family, who support Vantara philanthropically, have no involvement in its daily operations and were not party to the proceedings at any stage,” the statement added.   

“It is regrettable that despite full legal closure, a campaign of misinformation is being run to vilify Vantara and its supporters. When the highest courts have heard and decided a matter, continuing to attack a neutral party that has merely followed orders is not only unfair, it undermines public faith in judicial process. In any lawful society, even an ordinary citizen is expected to accept the authority of a final court ruling. That same standard should apply here,” Vantara said in its statement.  

“Vantara reiterates its commitment to lawful, ethical animal care and has only acted in accordance with judicial and regulatory directives,” the statement said.