New Delhi: Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni talked about the controversy around her appointment as Kinnar Akhhada’s Mahamandaleshwar at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
In January, Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhhada, Lakshmi Narayan announced that Mamta Kulkarni played a spiritual role as Mahamandaleshwar.
However, later Rishi Ajay Das, founder of Kinnar Akhhada, has expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from Afada.
This decision has come in view of the controversial appointment of former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni with a checker past as Mahamandaleshwar. Tripathi allegedly appointed Kulkarni without the consent of the founder, an act that has expressed considerable displeasure.
Talking to Annie, he said, “… It was all in the hands of God to become a Mahamandaleshwar in that Kumbh, which was such a holy opportunity in 140 years. God gave me the fruits of 25 years of his ‘penance’. So, it happened.”
According to a press release issued on January 30, 2025, Rishi Ajay Das said, “As the founder of Kinnar Akhhada, I am giving relief to Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from my position, which is Acharya Mahamandaleshwar as Kinnar. He has distracted from these responsibilities.”
The controversy revolves around an agreement, Tripathi entered with Juna Akhdha in 2019, which was allegedly made without Ajay Das’s claims without his approval. He further alleged that the contract between the two Akhadas was legally invalid due to his consent and lack of signature. In addition, Ajay Das accused Tripa of reducing Kinnar Akhd’s principles, which allowed Mamta Kulkarni to join and take into the prestigious role of Mahamandaleshwar despite his previous partnership in criminal activities.
Ajay Das said that the appointment of Mamta Kulkarni was particularly related to this because he had a criminal history. “By giving such a person the title of Mahamandaleshwar, what kind of guru are you offering Sanatan Dharma? It is a question of morality,” he wrote.
The founder insisted that this appointment was not only immoral, but also a betrayal with the religious values of Akhad.
The expulsion of both individuals has ignited the debate within the spiritual community, speaking in support of Tripathi and Kulkarni, along with Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of All India Akhdh Parishad.
Puri challenged the validity of Ajay Das’s decision, saying, “I want to ask who (sage Ajay Das) who is to expel Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi?”
The dispute over the appointment of Mamta Kulkarni as Mahamandaleshwar began when Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi publicly announced the verdict during the Maha Kumbh.
Mamta Kulkarni, known for her roles in the 1990s Bollywood films, stepped away from the headlines in the early 2000s.
However, he returned to India and was given the post of Mahamandaleshwar by Tripathi, a task that has now come under heavy investigation.
Transgender slaughter Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi Maa had earlier expressed concern over the appointment of Kulkarni, questioning her credibility and linked her past with criminal activities.
Later, uncle Kulkarni stepped into his role as Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhhada after facing heavy backlash and internal controversies.
His resignation follows questions about his spiritual status and his past in the film industry.
Kinnar Akhhada had earlier expelled ‘Karan Arjuna’ actress and her patron, Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, citing tension within the religious group.
Kulkarni announced the resignation in a video shared on his Instagram. “Chief Mahamandaleshwar Yamai Mamta Nandagiri, Estifa de Rahi Hoon from Main ISS Post. Today there is a problem between Kinar Akhade or Donhade Akhade.
“Bollywood gets Main 25 Saal Pehle Chhoda. Main apne aap gayab rahi. Warna makeup se, bolywood se itna door kaun rehta hai?” He said.
