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

Ahmedabad: Amid ongoing protests demanding return of elephant Madhuri to Swastishri Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sansthan Mutt or Nandani Math, Reliance Foundation-run animal shelter Vantara Wednesday offered to set up a rescue facility for the elephant at Kolhapur in Maharashtra for her rehabilitation.

"Vantara proposes to 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 with 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," Vantara said in a statement.

Vantara defended the relocation of Madhuri to its facility in Jamnagar saying, "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."

It added that its involvement in the matter was "limited to acting strictly in accordance with the binding directions issued by the Supreme Court and Bombay High court." It also said that Vantara would extend its full support to any application filed by Jain Math and Maharashtra government in the court requesting Madhuri's return to Kolhapur.

Vantara also proposed to work in coordination with the Jain Math and Maharashtra government "to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur."

It said that the proposed centre will be equipped with round the clock medical facilities and Specialised Hydrotherapy Pond for joint and muscular relief, larger water body for swimming and natural movement, laser therapy and treatment room for physical rehabilitation among other facilities.

The 36-year-old elephant was relocated to Vantara's Radhe Krishna Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar last week following a court ruling based on a petition moved by PETA. However, the relocation of Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, broke into a major controversy with locals protesting the move.