January 31, 2025: In a significant turn of events, Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada, has expelled both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from the Akhada. This decision follows a wave of controversy surrounding the appointment of Mamta Kulkarni, the former Bollywood actress, to the role of Mahamandaleshwar despite her controversial past.
The row began when Tripathi, who had been a prominent figure within the Akhada, appointed Kulkarni without seeking the founder’s approval. This act sparked outrage within the Akhada and the spiritual community, especially due to Kulkarni’s criminal history, which includes past involvement in drug-related cases. Kulkarni’s appointment as Mahamandaleshwar, a revered spiritual role, has been heavily criticized for contradicting the Akhada’s values.
Rishi Ajay Das issued a press release on January 30, 2025, expelling Tripathi from his position as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar and calling Kulkarni’s appointment a breach of religious ethics. In his statement, Das explained that the purpose of the Akhada was to promote religious activities and uplift the transgender community, something he believed Tripathi had failed to uphold by bringing in Kulkarni.
Das further alleged that Tripathi had entered into an agreement with Juna Akhada in 2019 without his consent, which, he claimed, rendered the contract legally invalid. He expressed his disappointment in Tripathi’s decision to overlook the core tenets of Kinnar Akhada by elevating a person with a criminal past to such a high position.
The expulsion of both figures has stirred strong reactions within the spiritual community. Mahant Ravindra Puri, the President of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, has spoken out in support of Tripathi and Kulkarni, questioning the legitimacy of Das’s actions. Puri further emphasized that both Tripathi and Kulkarni would continue their roles within the Akhada and would participate in the upcoming Amrit Snan, an important ritual.
The controversy surrounding Kulkarni’s appointment as Mahamandaleshwar emerged during the Maha Kumbh, where Tripathi publicly announced the decision. Kulkarni, who had been a popular Bollywood actress in the 1990s, had stepped away from the industry but re-emerged in India, where she was granted the prestigious title by Tripathi.
Transgender Kathavachak Jagatguru Himangi Sakhi Maa also raised concerns, alleging that Kulkarni’s appointment was made for publicity purposes, citing her criminal past and previous jail time related to drug cases. These concerns have fueled ongoing debates over the role of ethics and accountability within the spiritual leadership of the Akhada.
As the dispute continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the larger spiritual community and followers of Kinnar Akhada will respond to these significant changes and allegations.