Why in News?
Maharashtra will file a Supreme Court review plea to bring back elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) from Gujarat’s Vantara rehab centre. Her transfer followed a Bombay HC order on PETA’s petition citing poor health. Locals protested, alleging misleading claims and demanding her return.
Description:
| Context: Mahadevi, a 36-year-old female elephant (also called Madhuri), was kept at a Jain mutt in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, for over 30 years. In July 2025, the Bombay High Court ordered her transfer to Vantara, a wildlife rehabilitation centre run by the Reliance Foundation in Jamnagar, Gujarat, based on a petition by PETA India citing poor health, foot rot, and neglect. Alleged cruelty and captivity in religious settingPETA’s intervention led to HC order invoking animal welfare rightsMassive public protests and silent marches in Kolhapur demanding her returnMaharashtra Government has decided to approach the Supreme Court for a review petitionHighlights the conflict between traditional practices and animal rights Legal & Ethical Concepts for UPSC: Article 48A: Protection and improvement of environment and wildlifePrevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960Parens Patriae doctrine: State’s duty to act as guardian of vulnerable beingsReligious freedom vs animal rightsRole of NGOs like PETA in legal activismRole of Judiciary in environmental and ethical governance |
About PETA:
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Form | People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals |
| Established | 1980 |
| Founders | Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco |
| Influence | Inspired by Peter Singer’s book Animal Liberation (1975) |
| Headquarters | Norfolk, Virginia, United States |
| Type | International NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) |
| Membership | Over 9 million members globally |
| Nature | Largest animal rights organization in the world |
Four Primary Focus Areas (where animals suffer most):
- Laboratories – against testing on animals for drugs, cosmetics, etc.
- Food industry – advocates for veganism and ethical sourcing.
- Clothing trade – opposes fur, leather, wool, and animal-derived materials.
- Entertainment – campaigns against zoos, circuses, and marine parks.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
â—‰ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
â—‰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
â—‰ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040