Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday held discussions on a range of issues, including that of Kolhapur’s Elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri). Acting on court orders Madhuri was transferred to Anant Ambani’s
Vantara in Jamnagar by the end of July, but Kolhapur has seen protests against it. A Shiv Sena delegation, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and including Kolhapur MP Dhairyashil Mane, met Shah to press for Madhuri’s return. Mane brought the issue to Shah’s attention, and an assurance of full cooperation was received from the central government, said sources. Shah also clarified that specific instructions have been given to the Vantara organisation regarding Elephant Madhuri. With the central government’s intervention, the process of bringing Madhuriback is now expected to gain momentum.
What CM Devendra Fadnavis said
CM Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X said: “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 that they are acting only on the orders of the Hon Supreme Court and had no intentions to grab the custody of ‘Madhuri’. The team also showed their willingness to build a rehab centre for Madhuri in Kolhapur near Nandani at a place selected by the Forest Department of Govt of Maharashtra. They also informed that they give highest respect to the religious sentiments of the community.”
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
What has Vantara said on Madhuri?
Taking note of her multiple health ailments, the courts had ordered transfer of Madhuri to Anant Ambani’s Vantara’s Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust.
Vantara had started working on a recovery plan for Madhuri to handle her chronic foot issues “such as overgrown toenails and cuticles, signs of laminitis, a long-standing toenail abscess in the right hind foot, and painful swellings on both knees. Radiographs showed fractures and arthritis in her front feet”. “The team has now devised a detailed treatment protocol to address the root causes, ease her discomfort, improve mobility, and support her recovery,” Vantara said in a post on Instagram.
Reacting to the protests, Vantara had clarified that it did not initiate or request the relocation of the elephant named Mahadevi from a monastery in Kolhapur to its facility in Jamnagar but served only as the “court-appointed recipient facility”.
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However, taking note of the protests and sentiments attached, Vantara has offered to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. Vantara will also extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra before the Court requesting Madhuri’s return to Kolhapur, it said in statement.
Vantara will work in close coordination with the Jain Math and the State Government to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. The proposed facility will be developed in accordance to the established animal welfare guidelines, after consultation with experts from the High-Powered Committee and consensus of the Math, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care.
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The proposed centre will include specialised Hydrotherapy Pond for joint and muscular relief, a second, larger water body for swimming and natural movement, laser therapy and treatment room for physical rehabilitation, covered night shelter for rest and protection, lush open space habitat for unrestricted movement without chains, sand pit for environmental enrichment and natural behaviours, fully equipped on-site veterinary clinic for 24×7 medical care, rubberised flooring platform for safe and comfortable resting, carefully formed mounds of soft sand to support sloped resting positions, aiding recovery from foot rot, relieving pressure from arthritis, and reducing stress on joints.
The land for the proposed facility is to be identified in consultation with the Guru of the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra. Upon receiving the necessary grants and permissions, Vantara’s expert team is ready to begin implementation in close coordination with relevant authorities, said the statement.
