Thousands of residents in Kolhapur took to the streets in a silent march on Sunday, led by former MP Raju Shetty, to demand the return of Mahadevi (also known as Madhuri), a 36-year-old female elephant relocated from the Shri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Jain monastery in Nandani to Vantara wildlife rescue centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The march, starting from Nandani and ending at the district collectorate, saw participants submit a memorandum urging authorities to facilitate Mahadevi’s return, reflecting the deep emotional and spiritual bond the community shares with the elephant.
Mahadevi, who has been with the Jain monastery since 1992 when she was three, was moved to Vantara’s Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust following a July 16 Bombay High Court ruling, upheld by the Supreme Court on July 25, due to concerns about her health. An NGO had raised issues with the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Supreme Court-appointed High-Powered Committee, citing Mahadevi’s foot rot, arthritis, overgrown toenails, and psychological trauma from prolonged solitary captivity, evidenced by stereotypic head-bobbing. Vantara, a 3,000-acre sanctuary by Reliance Industries, offers hydrotherapy and socialization with 225 other elephants to aid her recovery.
The relocation has sparked widespread outrage in Kolhapur, with over 2 lakh people signing forms demanding Mahadevi’s return, to be sent to the President’s office. Some residents have even ported their Jio numbers in protest against Reliance-owned Vantara. Congress MLC Satej Patil emphasized the community’s resolve, while Shetty claimed Mahadevi was “in tears” during her transfer, alleging Vantara sought her for her beauty.
Vantara, in a statement, expressed respect for the community’s sentiments, clarifying it acted under court orders and is committed to Mahadevi’s welfare. The facility has initiated dialogue with the Jain monastery to explore a resolution balancing her health and community sentiments.
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The controversy intensified due to Mahadevi’s history, including an incident in 2017 where she allegedly killed the monastery’s chief priest. BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik met Union Minister Bhupender Yadav to advocate for her return. Vantara’s Instagram post highlighted their gentle care approach, focusing on Mahadevi’s comfort and recovery.
As Kolhapur’s ‘Nyay March’ continues, the community remains steadfast in its demand for Mahadevi’s return, underscoring her sacred significance to the Jain monastery and the region.
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