Mamta Kulkarni, once a big name in Bollywood, has now stepped down from her role as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada. This came after major backlash and internal drama at the prestigious Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj.
She was appointed to the position by Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi in January. But soon, the founder of the Kinnar Akhada, Rishi Ajay Das, expelled both Kulkarni and Tripathi from the group over the decision.
Ajay Das said the appointment was done without his approval and called it unethical. He also raised concerns over Kulkarni’s criminal past, questioning if she was fit to be a spiritual leader.
Kulkarni, however, claimed her appointment was guided by divine will and the result of 25 years of spiritual practice. Tripathi’s old agreement with Juna Akhada was also cited as a reason for the fallout.
Despite the expulsion, others within the spiritual community, like Mahant Ravindra Puri, supported Kulkarni and Tripathi. He questioned Ajay Das’s authority to remove them.
Facing weeks of criticism, Kulkarni announced her resignation in a video, saying she’d remain a Sadhvi. “I left Bollywood 25 years ago, and never looked back,” she said.