By | Niranjan Kamat | Exclusive Report
Kolhapur| The relocation of ‘Mahadevi’, also known as ‘Madhuri’, an elephant from Swasti shree Jinsen Bhattarak Patta charya Mahaswami Sansthan Math in Nandani village in Shirol taluka of Kolhapur district, has sparked a raging controversy over the past few weeks. The elephant, which has been living in this monastery for the last 33 years, had become an integral part of the sentiments of the villagers and the Jain community.
The Beginning of the Legal Battle
The 36 Year-old Mahadevi elephant from Nandani Math was not just an animal for the villagers, but a symbol of religious and cultural heritage. She had been living in the monastery since 1992, and the villagers treated her as a member of their family. However, animal rights organizations like PETA raised questions about Mahadevi’s health and well-being, leading to a petition being filed in the Bombay High Court.
The Court’s Decision
In December 2024, the Bombay High Court ordered that Mahadevi be shifted to the Anant Ambani-owned ‘Vantara’ animal conservation centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, for her health and well-being. The court gave priority to the animal’s right to quality life over the use of elephants for religious rituals. The Nandani Math approached the Supreme Court against this decision, but on July 28, 2025, the Supreme Court rejected the petition, paving the way for Mahadevi to be shifted to the Vantara centre.
Migration and Villager’s Reaction
On the night of July 28, 2025, a team from Vantara Kendra reached Nandani village to take Mahadevi, sparking anger among the villagers. Thousands of people took to the streets and protested against taking the elephant away. Villagers took out a silent march, shutting down the market, and some angry mobs pelted stones at police vehicles. Seven police vehicles and two private vehicles were damaged, while 12 policemen were injured.
Social and Political Movements
After Mahadevi’s migration, the villagers expressed strong resentment. A wave of anger swept through 743 villages in and around Nandani. The villagers decided to boycott Jio SIM cards and other products of the Ambani group. Some started porting Jio SIM cards to other companies. A silent march was taken out in the village, and a 45 km self-immolation march was organized from Nandani to the Kolhapur District Collector’s Office.
Current Status
Mahadevi is currently at the Vantara centre, and efforts are on by the villagers to bring her back. The head of the monastery, Swasti shree Jinsen Bhattaraka, has urged citizens to exercise restraint. Political leaders, social activists, and villagers are unitedly fighting the legal and social battle in this case. With the mercy petition sent to the President, the case has now reached the national level.
The Mahadevi elephant case is not limited to the relocation of an animal but is a clash of religious sentiments, cultural heritage, and legal processes. The sentiments of the Nandani villagers and the 700-year-old tradition of the Math have been hurt. There is a possibility of Mahadevi’s return in the coming days due to legal procedures and social pressure, but it requires cooperation and patience from all sides.
