Why are thousands of people in Kolhapur walking 40 km for Gajraj Mahadevi?
Thousands protest in Kolhapur demanding the return of elephant Mahadevi from Vantara. Court backs transfer citing poor health and legal violations.
Kolhapur, August 3, 2025 – A silent yet powerful protest unfolded in Kolhapur as thousands marched to demand the return of a 36-year-old elephant named Mahadevi (also known as Madhuri), who was recently relocated to the Vantara wildlife rehabilitation center in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The march, led by former MP and Swabhimani Kisan Sangathan leader Raju Shetty, saw over 30,000 people walk from Nandani to the District Collector’s office—a stretch of 45 km. The protesters submitted a formal memorandum calling for the elephant’s return.
The Relocation of Mahadevi to Vantara
Mahadevi was earlier housed at a Jain math in Kolhapur, where she was reportedly used in religious processions. However, multiple veterinary reports indicated severe health and psychological issues due to prolonged isolation, foot rot, open wounds, and improper handling.
In response to a detailed complaint filed by PETA India in 2023, the High Powered Committee (HPC) under the Ministry of Environment and Forests ordered her relocation to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust (RKTEWT), part of the Vantara facility. The Bombay High Court upheld this decision on July 16, 2025, citing animal welfare concerns over traditional customs.
Massive Public Outcry in Kolhapur
Despite the court’s ruling, Mahadevi’s departure triggered an emotional wave in western Maharashtra. Raju Shetty alleged that the elephant cried when taken away, adding to the public sentiment that the animal was “forcefully separated” from her spiritual home.
Protesters also launched a boycott against Jio, the telecom arm of Reliance Industries, which supports Vantara through its foundation. Shetty claimed over 1.5 lakh mobile users in Kolhapur, Sangli, and Satara had ported out of Jio within four days.
Future protests are planned in North Karnataka, where similar temple-elephant traditions prevail.
Legal Battle and Court Rulings
The elephant’s owners — a Jain math in Kolhapur — challenged the transfer in court. But the Bombay High Court found that the certificates presented to prove Mahadevi’s health were insufficient and inconsistent with expert veterinary evidence. The Supreme Court upheld this decision on July 28, 2025, and directed the authorities to ensure her transfer within two weeks.
Allegations Against PETA and Vantara
Shetty accused PETA of being a puppet of corporate interests, especially Anant Ambani, who is the visionary behind Vantara. “They wanted her because she’s beautiful,” Shetty said, alleging that this was a targeted effort to seize temple elephants across India. He also mentioned plans to file a complaint against PETA in the U.S. and seek cancellation of their Indian license.
Supporters also pointed out Mahadevi’s spiritual value and claimed the decision disregarded centuries of tradition.
Vantara’s Official Statement
On August 3, Vantara issued a detailed statement refuting misinformation. It clarified that the facility was only the recipient, named by the HPC, and had no role in initiating or demanding the transfer.
According to the statement:
- Mahadevi was moved between Maharashtra and Telangana 13 times between 2012 and 2023, often without legal permits.
- The Telangana Forest Department had booked the mahout under the Wildlife Protection Act for illegal use in a public procession.
- Reports highlighted her use in begging, festivals, and commercial processions, including children riding her trunk and use of banned metal ankush tools.
- The facility at Vantara offers open spaces, medical care, and socialization with over 200 other elephants.
The statement stressed that the Supreme Court’s verdict was final, and any continued protests targeted at Vantara were unfair and undermined the legal process.
“Vantara reiterates its commitment to ethical and lawful animal care. The family supporting the project has no role in operations or legal decisions,” the statement concluded.
✅ Conclusion: Between Emotion and Elephant Welfare
The Mahadevi controversy highlights the delicate balance between tradition and animal rights. While locals view her as a cultural icon, courts and activists emphasize her documented suffering. As the matter now awaits final compliance reporting on August 11, the debate between emotional ties and ethical treatment continues to stir passions across Maharashtra and beyond.
