Mamta Kulkarni Resigns As Mahamandaleshwar Amid Outrage

Mumbai: Actress-turned-sadhvi Mamta Kulkarni on Monday officially announced her resignation as Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada.

In a video message, Mamta stated that she will continue her spiritual journey as a ‘sadhvi.’

“I am resigning from the post of Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada. I have been ‘sadhvi’ since my childhood and I’ll continue to be so,” said Mamta in the video message.

Mamta Kulkarni was conferred the title of Mahamandleswar by the Kinnar Akhara on January 24, during the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.

However, she was removed from the post following an internal conflict between Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and the founder of Kinnar Akhara Rishi Ajay Das.

Criticising Mamta’s appointment as the Mahamandleshwar, Baba Ramdev said, “The great Kumbh festival of Sanatana, where our roots are connected, is a grand celebration. This is a sacred festival Some people associate vulgarity, intoxication, and inappropriate behaviour in the name of Kumbh – this is not the true essence of the Mahakumbh.”

“Some individuals, who were indulged in worldly pleasures just yesterday, suddenly become saints or even attain titles like Mahamandaleshwar in a single day,” he added.

Mamta, who rose to fame with blockbuster films like ‘Karan Arjun’ and ‘Baazi’, stepped away from the film industry in the early 2000s and relocated abroad to live a life away from the spotlight.