Mumbai: In a surprising move, the founder of the Kinnar Akhara, Rishi Ajay Das, announced on Friday that former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni and Mahamandaleshwar Laxminarayan Tripathi have been expelled from the Akhara for committing alleged treason.
Rishi Das released a statement accusing Tripathi of straying from the responsibilities of his post, which involved religious propagation and the upliftment of the Kinnar community. He further criticized the appointment of Mamta Kulkarni as a Mahamandaleshwar without his consent, claiming that the decision was unconstitutional and went against the principles of Sanatana Dharma. Kulkarni, who has ties to the glamour world of Bollywood, was accused of treason, which led to her expulsion.
“Without following any religious or akhada tradition, instead of making her renunciate, they directly conferred the title and patta of Mahamandaleshwar on her. Due to which, today I am reluctantly compelled to relieve her from the post in the interest of the country, Sanatan Dharma, and society,” Rishi Ajay Das said in the statement.
He further alleged that Laxminarayan Tripathi had made a controversial deal with the Juna Akhara during the 2019 Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj without his knowledge or approval. According to Rishi Das, the deal allowed people to join the Akhara without practicing the necessary rituals or renouncing their worldly attachments, which he claimed was a breach of tradition and a violation of the integrity of Sanatan Dharma.
“In this way, they are cheating the lovers of Sanatan Dharma and the society. Therefore, it was necessary for me to give all this information in public interest and in the interest of religion through a press conference today,” Rishi Das added.
The expulsion has caused a stir within the religious community, with many questioning the internal politics of the Kinnar Akhara and the actions of its former leaders.
