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Mamta Kulkarni and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi Expelled from Kinnar Akhada

Rishi Ajay Das expelled Mamta Kulkarni and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from Kinnar Akhada over Kulkarni's controversial appointment. Tripathi's actions, including appointing Kulkarni without approval, were criticized for deviating from the Akhada's ethical values.

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Mamta Kulkarni and Laxmi Narayan Tripathi Expelled from Kinnar Akhada

Kinnar Akhada founder Rishi Ajay Das has sacked Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from the organization, reportedly over the latter’s controversial decision to make the former Bollywood actress Mahamandaleshwar. The criminal record of Mamta Kulkarni had caused considerable upheaval among members when appointed by Tripathi without prior approval from Ajay Das.

The news was issued to the public by Ajay Das on January 30, 2025: “As a founder of Kinnar Akhada, I am announcing Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi relieved immediately from the role of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada for dereliction of his religious activities and lack of contribution in the upliftment of the transgender community.”

The controversy began when Tripathi entered into an agreement with Juna Akhada in 2019. Ajay Das claims that it was done without his consent, and he has further accused Tripathi of undermining the religious principles of Kinnar Akhada due to the past criminal involvement of Kulkarni. He questioned the morals of such promotion, raising further, “What kind of guru are you presenting to Sanatan Dharma, by bestowing such a person with the status of Mahamandaleshwar? The question of morals arises.

The decision to expel both individuals has brought debate, as Mahant Ravindra Puri, President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, has defended Tripathi and Kulkarni. Puri stated, “I want to ask, who is he (Rishi Ajay Das) to expel Laxmi Narayan Tripathi?” He further reiterated that Tripathi and Kulkarni would continue their respective positions in the Akhada and attend the Amrit Snan.

The controversy relating to Kulkarni becoming Mahamandaleshwar started when it was announced at the Maha Kumbh by Tripathi. Tripathi himself had been quite absent from film circles for so long that an appointment like Mahamandaleshwar by him was expected to raise controversies, and as such, happened. Criticizing Kulkarni’s appointment, Transgender Kathavachak Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi Maa said, “Mamta Kulkarni has been made Mahamandaleshwar for publicity. Society knows her past very well. She was even jailed in the past in connection with drug cases. This needs investigation,” ANI reported.