Madhuri, a 36-year-old elephant living at a Jain monastery in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, has found herself at the centre of a jumbo-sized controversy. The Bombay High Court recently ordered that she be relocated to Vantara – the plush private animal sanctuary in Gujarat run by Anant Ambani of Reliance Group.
A section of people came out in protest against this, with demonstrations extending several kilometres to free Madhuri from Vantara. Some people in the state have also started boycotting Ambani-owned telecommunications company Jio. Others took to social media platforms like X to express their outrage.
Buckling under the pressure of the protests, the Maharashtra government has now said that it will make every effort to bring the elephant back.
The case
Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, had been living in Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstha, a Jain monastery located in Nandini village of Shirol tehsil in Kolhapur, since 1992.
On July 16, the Bombay High Court approved Madhuri's transfer to Vantara. The court based its decision on veterinary and photographic evidence presented by animal rights organisation PETA and a Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Mahadevi was found to be ailing with arthritis, foot rot, ulcerated wounds, and overgrown nails. She also showed signs of mental distress, which included frequent head shaking.
The Jain monastery challenged this legally, but the court rejected its petition.
Subsequently, the matter reached the Supreme Court. On July 28, the Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court’s order and gave two weeks to complete the rehabilitation. The next hearing in the matter will be held on August 11.
Politics in Maharashtra has intensified after the orders of the Bombay High Court and then the Supreme Court. People took to the streets and started protesting against sending Mahadevi to Vantara. The Jain community is particularly furious. Meanwhile, trends like ‘Boycott Jio’ and opposition to Ambanis were also seen on social media.
Online, too, the backlash has been loud. Social media users trended hashtags like #BringBackMadhuri, #JusticeForMadhuri, #MadhuriElephant, and calls to #BoycottJio and #BoycottReliance.
The love and care we've given Madhuri is a priceless bond. No amount of money can replace it. #BringBackMadhuri #BoycottJio #BoycottReliance @rashtrapatibhvn @aajtak @PetaIndia @dhruv_rathee pic.twitter.com/CW4e9SCJSb
— Veer Seva Dal (@VeerSava) August 3, 2025
'Madhuri Elephant case' में #Ambani और उसके #VANTARA के षड्यंत्र की पोल इस महिला पत्रकार के सबूतों के साथ खोलने का प्रयास किया है सभी लोग अवश्य देखें । . . . . . . #BringBackMadhuri #BoycottJio #जैन_विरोधी_भाजपा pic.twitter.com/IzemhYN5rc
— जैन एकता मंच,राष्ट्रीय(रजि.) (@JAINEKTAMANCHH) August 5, 2025
#Bringbackmadhuri #BoycottJio अब अधिकारों के लिये यही आवश्यक बन गया है तो यही सही । #Jain #जैन_विरोधी_भाजपा pic.twitter.com/8xAXiCmLhy
— जैन एकता मंच,राष्ट्रीय(रजि.) (@JAINEKTAMANCHH) August 1, 2025
Sudden support for relocation
In the past 24 hours, the narrative on social media seems to have shifted.
A wave of support for the elephant’s transfer to Vantara suddenly emerged – from verified accounts across the political spectrum, including influencers, commentators, and even journalists.
What caught people’s attention, though, wasn’t just the support – it was the striking similarity in the messaging. Many posts and videos used similar language, prompting some to wonder: Is this genuine concern for animal welfare?
A common thread in these posts is the emphasis that Mahadevi “spent 33 years in chains” and is now “finally free and safe” at Vantara. Many such tweets also told us that the elephant is now getting proper care for the first time.
महादेवी उर्फ माधुरी हथिनी को जानते ही होंगे। 33 साल तक जंजीरों में जकड़ी रही। लेकिन अब वन्तारा में खुली हवा में सांस ले रही।
— Rajesh Sahu (@askrajeshsahu) August 4, 2025
जानवरों का सम्मान यही है कि उन्हें जंजीरों से अलग रखा जाए। वन्तारा में माधुरी चैन से है। pic.twitter.com/WUbbXSMPIK
महादेवी को लेकर महाराष्ट्र में सियासत गरमाई हुई है, लेकिन लोगों को समझना चाहिए कि
— Jaiky Yadav (@JaikyYadav16) August 4, 2025
जिस महादेवी ने अपने जीवन के 33 साल ज़ंजीरों में और दर्द में बिताए हों,
अब वनतारा ने उसे सहारा दिया है, वह यहां
आज़ाद है
सुरक्षित है
सही देखभाल पा रही है
वनतारा कोई बंदीगृह तो है नहीं यह तो एक… pic.twitter.com/VTIRii2z4L
महादेवी (माधुरी) ने 33 साल ज़ंजीरों में बिताए दर्द, दुर्व्यवहार और घावों के साथ
— Nigar Parveen (@NigarNawab) August 4, 2025
अब वह आज़ाद है, सुरक्षित है हालाँकि कुछ लोग इसका विरोध भी कर रहे हैं ! pic.twitter.com/vDQ6koPCEj
उस हथिनी के बारे में आपको पता ही होगा जो कोर्ट के आदेश के बाद अब वंतारा भेजी जा रही है। कुछ लोग भावुक होकर इसे ग़लत कह रहे हैं और कुछ सही कह रहे हैं।
— Puneet Kumar Singh (@puneetsinghlive) August 4, 2025
महादेवी (माधुरी) ने 33 साल ज़ंजीरों के बंधन में बिताए हैं। मंदिर में पूजा के समय भीड़भाड़ में रखा गया.. किसी भी जानवर को ये सब… pic.twitter.com/6Dq1vSRbLY
हथिनी महादेवी को लेकर आज हर जगह बात हो रही है, महाराष्ट्र की सियासत में ये एक चर्चा का विषय बना हुआ है।
— Pratik Patel (@PratikVoiceObc) August 4, 2025
महादेवी ने अपने जीवन के 33 साल जंजीरों में बिताए हैं। इन सालों में जो हथिनी महादेवी ने जो सहा है वो कल्पना से पड़े है।
अब वो वनतारा में शिफ्ट कर दी गई है। जहां वो आजाद है।… pic.twitter.com/FQcC0yoUu4
After the controversy around elephant Madhuri intensified, Vantara issued a clarification and released a video statement. The video stated: “In Vantara, she is now living every day with dignity. She is getting light activities, a balanced and nutritious diet, expert supervision and constant therapeutic support.”
Update at 2.45 pm on Aug 6: Despite all the support, Vantara on Wednesday said it fully supports to bring back Madhuri to her original home in Kolhapur.
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