A fresh controversy has erupted within the Kinnar Akhada, as its founder, Rishi Ajay Das, has expelled Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.
The decision, announced on January 30, 2025, comes in response to Kulkarni's controversial appointment as Mahamandaleshwar, a move that has sparked dissent within the religious order. Das, in an official statement, accused Tripathi of overstepping his authority by inducting Kulkarni without approval.
"As the founder of Kinnar Akhada, I am relieving Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi from his position, effective immediately. His appointment was intended to promote religious activities and uplift the transgender community, but he has strayed from these responsibilities," the statement read. The rift appears to stem from a 2019 agreement between Tripathi and Juna Akhada, which Ajay Das claims was made without his knowledge or consent, rendering it legally invalid.
He further criticised Tripathi for granting Kulkarni the prestigious title of Mahamandaleshwar despite her alleged criminal history, questioning the ethical implications of the decision.
"This is a matter of religious integrity. By appointing someone with a controversial past, what kind of guru are we presenting to Sanatan Dharma?" Ajay Das asked, emphasising that the move was both unethical and a violation of the Akhada's principles.
The expulsions have triggered a backlash, with Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, challenging the legitimacy of Ajay Das's authority. "Who is he to expel Laxmi Narayan Tripathi?" Puri questioned, asserting that both Tripathi and Kulkarni remain integral to the Akhada and will participate in the upcoming Amrit Snan.
The controversy initially surfaced during the Maha Kumbh, when Tripathi publicly announced Kulkarni's elevation to Mahamandaleshwar.
The actress, once a prominent face in Bollywood during the 1990s, had distanced herself from the industry for years before resurfacing in a spiritual role. However, her appointment has drawn criticism from several quarters. Transgender Kathavachak Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi Maa previously raised objections, citing Kulkarni's alleged criminal background.
