We Support Mamta Kulkarni, Says Religious Body Chief After Actor Expelled From Kinnar Akhara

Prayagraj: President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Mahant Ravindra Puri extends support to Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and former Bollywood actor-turned-saint Mamta Kulkarni after the duo was expelled from Kinnar Akhara.’

“I want to ask who is he (Rishi Ajay Das) to expel Laxmi Narayan Tripathi. All the 13 akharas have supported her. The one who has expelled her, I want to ask him who he is. I have listened to his name for the first time – one who is claiming to be the founder of Kinnar Akhara. We are with Laxmi Narayan as we know her only… Vairagya (asceticism) can occur at any stage of life and to anyone. If Mamta Kulkarni voluntarily wanted to join Kinnar Akhara – why anyone should’ve any issue with that? We are with Mamta Kulkarni – they both will take a holy dip with Juna Akhara on Vasant Panchami…” Puri said.

According to reports, Laxmi Narayan Tripathi has also lost the title of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar. Rishi Ajay Das, founder of Kinnar Akhara, has expelled both Tripathi and Kulkarni. Tripathi has been expelled from the Kinnar Akhara for inducting Kulkarni, who is accused of treason, to the Akhara and designating her as Mahamandaleshwar without Das’ knowledge.

Several saints have opposed Kulkarni’s appointment as the Mahamandleshwar, highlighting that attaining such a revered position requires years of spiritual discipline. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev had openly criticised Kulkarni’s anointment, saying that nobody can attain sainthood ‘in a single day.’

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

Mamata and her controversial past

Kinnar Akhara’s Mahamandaleshwar Kaushalya Nand Giri, alias Tina Maa, had previously told PTI that Kulkarni had performed her own ‘Pind Daan’ on the banks of Ganga. Kulkarni had claimed that she had started her penance (‘tapasya’) in 2000 and had chosen Tripathi as her ‘pattaguru.’

In the 1990s, Mamta Kulkarni rose to fame with blockbusters like ‘Karan Arjun’ and ‘Baazi.’ But she stepped away from the film industry and relocated abroad in the 2000s.

Mamta Kulkarni was accused in ₹2,000 crore drug case in 2016. However, in August 2024, the Bombay High Court dismissed the criminal charges against her, citing insufficient evidence.

Did Chhota Rajan threaten Rajkumar Santoshi for Kulkarni?

Several reports in the media alleged that she was dating gangster Chhota Rajan. According to a report published in the Republic World, director Rajkumar Santoshi had cast Kulkarni in the 1998 film China Gate, but removed her midway. The report stated that after alleged threats from Chhota Rajan and his associates, Kulkarni was brought back into the film.