In a heartwarming update that is now winning hearts across the country, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis has confirmed the safe return of elephant Mahadevi from Reliance’s Vantara, which marks an important turning point in the ongoing discussion about wildlife rights and rehabilitation. This is the return of the loved elephant, whose journey brought about intense emotional outrage and worldwide attention.
On Wednesday, regarding the return of the elephant Mahadevi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis spoke with representatives of the Vantara project, an animal rescue and rehabilitation facility operated by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
About Mahadevi
1/🧵 Madhuri didn’t speak… but her silence shook an entire village. 💔
Sometimes, the law is right.
But the heart says — this isn’t justice.
This is the story of Madhuri the elephant… a story that questions the very meaning of compassion. 👇#MadhuriElephant pic.twitter.com/wu3pjhWDKP
— Dr. Mukul Agrawal (@drmukulagrawal) August 4, 2025
The Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Math in Kolhapur, India, has been housing Mahadevi since 1992. According to reports, she lived in a concrete hut and was confined in chains, which caused her great physical and mental suffering. She had several physical problems, such as arthritis, foot rot, and symptoms of mental illness like stereotypical behavior. But the Jain community thinks otherwise, for them, Mahadevi has always been a part of their Jain community and temple.
CM Devendra Fadnavis Confirms Mahadevi’s Safe Return
I had an extensive discussion with The Vantara team today in Mumbai. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Government’s petition before the Hon’ble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant 🐘 ‘Madhuri’ back to the Math.
Vantara told… pic.twitter.com/X75AsYrOIb— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 6, 2025
“In Mumbai, as I had an intensive conversation with important Vantara management executives, the Maharashtra government has agreed to file a petition for the safe return of the elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) to Nandani Math, and they have told me that Vantara has chosen to take part in it,” Fadnavis wrote on X.
The Chief Minister said, “They told me during the conversation that they were only following the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s orders and had no intention of taking custody of Mahadevi the elephant on their own.”
According to Fadnavis, Vantara has also stated that it is willing to work with the state government to establish a rehabilitation center for Mahadevi on the land that the forest department has chosen close to Nandani Math in the Kolhapur district.
What Does Vantara Says On This?
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“Vantara will fully support any case submitted to the Hon’ble Court by the Jain Matha and the Government of Maharashtra asking for Madhuri’s return to Kolhapur, in keeping with our commitment to lawful behavior, appropriate animal care, and cooperation between communities. Vantara will offer full technical and veterinary support for her safe and respectful return, pending the Court’s consent,” it stated.
Additionally, Vantara suggested collaborating with the Maharashtra government and the Jain Matha to set up a satellite elephant rehabilitation facility in Kolhapur’s Nandani neighborhood.
A second, larger body of water for swimming and natural movement, laser therapy and a treatment room for physical rehabilitation, a covered night shelter for rest and protection, a lush open space habitat for unrestricted movement without chains, a sand pit for environmental enrichment and natural behaviors, a specialized hydrotherapy pond for joint and muscular relief, and a fully furnished on-site veterinary clinic for round-the-clock medical care are all features of the proposed center.
What Is The Debate About Mahadevi?
PETA India’s latest statement on the plight, treatment and future of elephant Madhuri (Mahadevi). https://t.co/wMLQ14kFKJ#Madhuri #MadhuriElephant #MahadeviElephant pic.twitter.com/KGScTgMNf4
— PETA India (@PetaIndia) August 8, 2025
For more than 30 years, Mahadevi, also called Madhuri, had been a resident of Kolhapur’s Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswamy Sanstha. Her move came after a July 22 Supreme Court decision upholding a previous Bombay High Court order. Animal welfare organizations, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), petitioned the court to rule that the aged and arthritic elephant at the temple was not receiving proper care.
The locals admired Madhuri, a 36-year-old elephant who had been staying in a Jain monastery in Kolhapur since 1992. PETA protested in 2023 that she was mistreated and ill.
Weapons were used to control Mahadevi, who was compelled to participate in tumultuous rituals. She is now beginning a new life at Vantara with other elephants.
Many people in Maharashtra were offended by this, particularly the Jain community, who said that Madhuri was an integral part of their religion. People wrote messages, used hashtags, protested, and demanded a boycott of Jio.
Government Moves Legally After Emotional Appeal From Citizens
Huge Protest in Kolhapur for Mahadevi. We want no further delays. Madhuri Elephant was ours and should be in our hands.#Bringbackmadhuri #MahadeviElephant #MadhuriElephant pic.twitter.com/xZIfwh9stM
— Be Jain (@be_jain_india) August 3, 2025
Days after Mahadevi was moved to Vantara, Fadnavis had earlier promised that his government would look into legal alternatives to return her to a Jain shrine in Kolhapur in response to popular controversy.
Fadnavis stated, “The state government will intervene in the legal process to bring back the Mahadevi elephant, considering the public sentiments,” following a meeting on the subject on Tuesday. The state government will assist the Jain shrine by filing an intervention application, and the shrine itself will file a review case before the Supreme Court.
In order to care for the elephant, the Chief Minister further suggested that the state forest department establish a facility at the Kolhapur shrine that would resemble Vantara.
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