The relocation of a 36-year-old female elephant, Mahadevi, from Kolhapur to Vantara in Gujarat's Jamnagar has triggered an uproar.
Former MP Raju Shetti and the locals of Nandini village in Shirol taluka of Kolhapur district are demanding that the elephant be returned.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, who is Kolhapur's Guardian Minister, said the efforts are on to bring back the elephant.
"At a meeting in Kolhapur on Friday, Vantara officials assured that they will cooperate in efforts to bring Mahadevi back to Nandani in Kolhapur district," the minister told reporters after the meeting.
BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik and Shiv Sena MP Dhairyasheel Mane, both from Kolhapur district, are working to get the Centre to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court for bringing Mahadevi back, Abitkar added.
Mahadik on Thursday met Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav and submitted a memorandum for bringing back Mahadevi in Nandani.
Congress MLC Satej Patil said that the people of Kolhapur want the elephant back.
"More than 1.25 lakh persons have signed forms demanding Mahadevi's return to the Jain math at Nandani. These forms will be sent to the President's office via speed post from Kolhapur," he said.
Vantara's Statement:
Vantara, which is the brainchild of Anant Ambani, Mukesh Ambani's son, and is supported by Reliance Industries and the Reliance Foundation, has also put out a social media post, saying it was not the initiator of the relocation but was instructed by the court.
"Vantara holds the deepest respect for the emotions and spiritual sentiments surrounding the revered elephant Mahadevi, who was recently relocated from the Jain Mutt Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan, Kolhapur. We recognise that her presence there was more than symbolic, it was sacred to many. We want to clearly and respectfully state that Vantara acted solely in compliance with the binding orders of the Bombay High Court, which were subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court. We were not the initiators of this move, but the facility directed to carry out the court's decision and provide her with care," read the statement."
Our only intention has been to act in the best interest of Mahadevi’s health and long-term welfare. Her transition into our care was carried out with love, responsibility, and complete adherence to both legal and welfare standards. We fully understand and empathise with the public’s strong emotional response. That is why, in a spirit of compassion and unity, we have opened a direct dialogue with the Jain Mutt and the respected Swamiji. Together, we are exploring, through legal and veterinary guidance, all possibilities for Mahadevi’s future — including a peaceful resolution that prioritises both her well-being and the feelings of the community," it added.
#BoycottJio:
Nandini villagers have begun a 'Boycott Jio' campaign in protest of the elephant's relocation. Reportedly, more than 10,000 people have ported their SIM cards from Jio.
An audio call of a villager speaking to a customer care executive of Jio has gone viral. In the audio, the villager says, "Our village's elephant has been taken away by your owner. So, now many people in our village are going to boycott Jio and port their SIMs. This is the first setback for your owner."
Background:
On July 16, the Bombay HC upheld the HPC's decision to relocate the elephant to the Gujarat-based facility, citing that an elephant's right to a quality life must take precedence over humans' right to use it for religious purposes.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Gokhale noted in their order that the mental and physical health of the elephant had suffered when it was with a Kolhapur-based trust.
The court dismissed a petition filed by the mutt against the December 2024 and June 2025 orders passed by the HPC to transfer the elephant to the Radhe Krishna Elephant Welfare Trust.
The original transfer was ordered following a complaint lodged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India about the animal's condition.
The Kolhapur-based trust contended it had owned the elephant since 1992, and its presence at religious programmes was a part of tradition.
But the HC cited a June 2024 report about the elephant's health, diet and nutrition, social environment, hygiene and cleanliness of shelter, veterinary care, and work schedule, and said they "appear to be absolutely dismal."
As per the report, the elephant suffered from "decubital ulcerated wounds" on its hip joints and a few other body parts.
