Kolhapur witnessed a rare and powerful sight on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
No political flags. No festival drums.
Only thousands of people walking in absolute silence — united by one wish:
Bring back Mahadevi.
Fondly called Madhuri, this 36-year-old temple elephant has been the heart of Kolhapur for more than three decades.
Why the Protest Began
In July 2025, Mahadevi was shifted to Vantara, a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, run by Anant Ambani under Reliance Industries and Reliance Foundation.
The Bombay High Court, on July 16, approved her transfer after multiple veterinary inspections revealed:
Solitary confinement for years
Foot rot and ulcerated wounds
Overgrown toenails
Signs of psychological distress
For the court, animal welfare outweighed tradition.
But for Kolhapur, Mahadevi was not just an elephant — she was family. Since 1992, she had lived at a Jain math, blessing devotees during festivals and becoming part of the city’s spiritual identity.
The 45 km Silent Rally
Starting at 5:00 a.m. from Nandani and ending at the Kolhapur Collectorate at 5:45 p.m., the rally covered 45 km in total.
Former MP Raju Shetty led the march, joined by over 30,000 people from Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara.
No slogans. No speeches. Only the sound of footsteps.
The protest even extended to Jio, Reliance’s telecom arm — with 1.5 lakh+ users porting out in just four days as a sign of boycott. Similar rallies are now being planned in North Karnataka.
“Mahadevi was in tears when she was taken away,” Shetty said. “Even though Vantara already has over 200 elephants, they wanted her because she’s beautiful.”
More than 2 lakh signatures have already been collected, demanding her return.
Court vs. Culture
The Jain math claimed Mahadevi’s health had improved, but short medical notes could not outweigh the detailed veterinary reports and photos in court.
For animal rights groups, this was a victory for welfare.
For locals, it felt like losing tradition.
Even BJP MP Dhananjay Mahadik has appealed to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav for her return.
Vantara’s Surprise Statement
In a turn of events, Vantara has now said they support Madhuri’s return.
They have promised to assist the Maharashtra government, which is planning to approach the Supreme Court to review the relocation decision.
Vantara has also prepared a rehabilitation plan to ensure her health, safety, and care if she comes back.
“When the highest courts have heard and decided a matter, continuing to attack a neutral party that has merely followed orders is unfair,” Vantara earlier stated.
But their latest move has reignited hope in Kolhapur.
More Than an Elephant
This case is no longer about one animal — it’s about the balance between tradition and animal rights.
Should decades of spiritual bond outweigh medical concerns?
Or should compassion mean giving an animal the best health possible, even far from home?
For now, Kolhapur waits. And hopes.
Because for them, Madhuri isn’t just a temple elephant —
she’s a symbol of blessings, faith, and cherished memories.
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