'No intent to interfere with religious practice': Vantara clarifies stand on tusker Madhuri issue

As demand for 36-year-old female elephant Madhuri's return to Shri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Jain ‘math' (monastery) at Nandani gained momentum, Vantara issued a statement clarifying its stance in the issue.

Vantara said it did not initiate or request the relocation of the elephant from the monastery in Kolhapur to its facility in Jamnagar but served only as the “court-appointed recipient facility".

Madhuri, who was with the Shri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Jain ‘math' (monastery) at Nandani for over three decades, was relocated to Vantara's Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust last week following a court ruling.

The Bombay High Court on July 16 ordered the pachyderm to be rehabilitated at Vantara's facility in Gujarat's Jamnagar, after concerns raised by an NGO with the Maharashtra Forest Department and the Supreme Court appointed High-Powered Committee (HPC) on her deteriorated health and psychological suffering.

The Supreme Court on July 25 upheld the HC order.

Thousands of people participated in a 'silent march' in Kolhapur on Sunday, demanding that Madhuri (also called Mahadevi) be brought back from Vantara's facility.

"Vantara acknowledges the deep religious and cultural significance that Madhuri holds for the Jain Matha and the people of Kolhapur. We recognise and respect the sentiments of the devotees, the leadership of the Jain Matha, and the wider community who have expressed their concerns and attachment to Madhuri’s presence in Kolhapur," Vantara said in a statement.

"Vantara’s involvement in this matter has been limited to acting strictly in accordance to the binding directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court and the Hon’ble Bombay High Court. The decision to relocate Madhuri was taken under judicial authority, and Vantara’s role was to provide care, veterinary support, and housing as an independent rescue and rehabilitation centre. At no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation, nor was there any intent to interfere with religious practice or sentiment."

"In alignment with our commitment to lawful conduct, responsible animal care, and community cooperation, Vantara will extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Matha and the Government of Maharashtra before the Hon’ble Court requesting Madhuri’s return to Kolhapur. Subject to the court’s approval, Vantara will provide complete technical and veterinary assistance for her safe and dignified return," it added.

"Furthermore, Vantara proposes to work in close coordination with the Jain Matha 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 Matha, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care," it further said.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said Vantara will join the state government's petition in the Supreme Court to seek the return of elephant Madhuri to a monastery in Kolhapur.

"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," Fadnavis said in a post on X.

(With PTI inputs)