Mahadevi Elephant Case: State Government Takes Proactive Role, Matter to Be Reconsidered in Supreme Court
The state government has clearly taken the initiative for the return of Madhuri, also known as Mahadevi, the elephant residing at Nandani Math in Shirol Taluka of Kolhapur district for the past 34 years. In this regard, a high-level meeting was held in the cabinet hall of the ministry under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Chief Minister Fadnavis stated at the time, "Considering the traditions of Nandani Math and the sentiments of the local citizens, there is a strong feeling among the people that Madhuri the elephant should return to the Math. Therefore, the state government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court itself, and Nandani Math should also include the state government when submitting its petition."
An independent stance will be presented by the state government
This petition will include the criteria of the Central Zoo Authority and the recommendations of the high-level committee. Additionally, a request will be made to the Supreme Court to appoint an independent committee, which will conduct a thorough investigation of the matter.
A team led by doctors for the care of the elephant
The state government will take responsibility for the health and care of the elephant, and a team will be formed with expert doctors. Furthermore, if necessary, facilities like a rescue center will be prepared, as clarified by the Chief Minister.
In this case, a decision was made to withdraw the charges filed against the citizens who participated in the protest. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ordered the Forest Department to gather complete information about the elephants that have been moved to other states or locations.
Dignitaries present at the meeting
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Medical Education Minister Hasan Mushrif, Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Prakash Abitkar, as well as MPs Dhairyasheel Mane, Vishal Patil, MLAs Rajendra Patil-Yadravkar, Vishwajeet Kadam, Satej Patil, Ashok Mane, Sadabhau Khot, Rahul Awade, Amal Mahadik, former MP Raju Shetty, former MLA Prakash Awade, Pujya Swastishri Jinsen Mahaswamiji (Nandani Math), Lalit Gandhi (Chairman of Jain Minority Development Corporation), Additional Chief Secretary Milind Mhaiskar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Srinivas Rao, District Collector Amol Yedge, along with many public representatives and officials were present.
Due to the positive stance of the state government, hopes have been raised for Madhuri the elephant to return to Nandani Math. The direction of the next legal battle will be determined by balancing public sentiments, traditions, and legal processes.